Job cuts imminent as General Mills restructures 

Over 1,400 jobs are at risk as part of General Mills’ restructuring plans to close and sell factories in the US and overseas.

The US food giant, whose brands include Cheerios, Haagen-Dazs and Progresso, has announced it will be slashing 420 jobs in Brazil and 300 in China as part of the restructuring of certain international product lines.

This will entail ceasing production of snacks and meals at its facility in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, and to also cease production of underperforming fruit snacks at its Nanjing, China, factory.

The company will stop producing Trix products during the first quarter of 2017, but will continue to make Bugles snacks in Nanjing.

In the US, excess soup capacity had forced it into making a “tentative” decision to close its operation in Vineland, New Jersey that would affect 370 jobs. The final decision is subject to negotiations with union representatives, and any action is expected to be finalized by the first quarter of next year.

In addition, the company has reached an agreement to sell its dry mixes plant in Martel, Ohio to Mennel Milling Company, which will affect a further 180 jobs.

The company expects to record charges of US$42m for its moves in Brazil and China, while the sale of the Martel plant will lead to an $11m loss.