Vic: SPC here to stay despite job losses: Brumby

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2008
Vic: SPC here to stay despite job losses: Brumby

MELBOURNE, Aug 5 AAP - SPC Ardmona was here to stay despite shedding staff in tough
times, Premier John Brumby said today.

He was responding to revelations the Goulburn Valley-based fruit cannery will scrap
at least 60 production jobs.

The redundancies follow the axing of 50 middle management positions in January and
are part of a restructure to overcome drought and offshore competition.

Mr Brumby said SPC would still remain a huge employer in Shepparton.

"They're employing still, I think, permanently between 400 and 500 people ... during
the peak season they employ up to another 4,000," he said.

"My understanding is, too, that they're investing something like $10 million in new facilities.

"So, SPC's a great company, it's here to stay, they're investing more, but the combination
of drought and tough international conditions means regrettably that they've had to reduce
staff."

Mr Brumby reiterated Victoria was facing its toughest economic times for 15 years.

But he said thousands of jobs would be created from major infrastructure projects in
northern Victoria, including the $2 billion food bowl modernisation project and the $500
million north-east rail corridor upgrade.

AAP cmb/gfr/maur/de

KEYWORD: ARDMONA BRUMBY

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