WORKERS at Gunnedah’s Manildra Group Namoi Flour Mill are facing an uncertain future after the company announced on Friday it would scale back its flour production at the site.
Four casual employees and 19 permanent employees will be affected by the decision as the Manildra Group will opt to consolidate its flour production at another regionally-based flour mill from June 1 this year.
Manildra Group Milling manager John Brunner said the decision was extremely difficult.
“All affected employees will be paid their full entitlements as defined in their enterprise agreements,” Mr Brunner said.
“We will be organising on-site assistance for our employees in job search skills, resume assistance and counselling services.”
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Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey expressed his regret in seeing the company scale back its local production.
“It’s very sad to see any job losses within our community,” Cr Chaffey said.
“Job security is so important in rural towns and we hope that the people affected by this decision will receive the assistance they need and be able to move into other jobs available within the community and stay local.
“I have been advised by Manildra senior management that the company plans to stay in Gunnedah and the facility will remain open.”
Mr Brunner said the company will still continue to produce durum semolina in Gunnedah.
“We will also continue to distribute our flour and bakery mixes locally in the Gunnedah region,” he said.
“We acknowledge that this decision will have a wider impact on the Gunnedah district.
“Manildra Group will continue to employ 16 staff at the Gunnedah site including our grain buying team.”
