Finnish food group Raisio has flagged the possibility of up to 20 job losses connected to a refined strategy announced in June, a key element of which is to accelerate growth in the plant-based category.
The Helsinki-listed business said today (16 August) it will start negotiations with 234 of the group’s 335 employees in Finland, a process which “might lead to the reduction of 20 positions at the maximum” when it is completed in October.
“All white collar and senior white-collar employees of all Raisio Group’s legal entities in Finland, and blue-collar workers of Raisioaqua Ltd. are in the scope of negotiations. All other blue-collar workers are excluded from the negotiations,” the company said in a statement.
Raisioaqua refers to the group’s fish-feed business, which was not featured in the previously communicated strategy plan. The three areas of focus now pursued by Raisio include plant-based, valued-added oats and ingredients, and its Benecol brand, a range of cholesterol-reducing products containing the chemical compound stanol ester.
“Negotiations concern possible restructuring of functions and duties, combinations or terminations based on the new way to operate, and in addition the adjustment of the workforce,” Raisio noted.
Raisio’s four-year strategy plans also included a target to reach 5% organic sales growth having inked a deal in the plant-based category this year for Finland-based Verso Food, a manufacturer of fava-bean products free-from gluten and soy.
