Atria unveils new chief, plans to cut ops by 110 man years of labour
The Finland-based meat processor said last week that Juha Grohn had been chosen as its new president and CEO. The appointment follows the announcement at the beginning of the month that Matti Tikkakoski would be stepping down with immediate effect.
Grohn has held a number of posts in Atria since 1993 – including managing director of the Scandinavian unit as well as posts in the Finland and Baltic divisions. He is also responsible for the group’s raw meat procurement.
Martti Selin, chairman of the Board of Directors of Atria highlighted Grohn’s knowledge of the meat industry and his “open and straightforward management style”.
Cut 110 man years of labour
His appointment as Atria chief came as the company made public plans to cut costs and its workforce as part of an efficiency drive.
The firm said it was bidding to save €4m annually by the end of 2012. The savings will come from cutting 110 man years of labour at its Nurma production plants in Finland, it said.
Increasing automation and changes to the European Directive on poultry meant its Finland operations would have to cut some of the 2,100 jobs as facilities needed “to adapt the number of employees to the current production structure and production volume”, Atria added.
The job losses would implemented through increased part-time work, pension arrangements and redundancy packages.
Negotiations between the company and its workers have already begun. Atria said it would be deciding how many workers could be relocated to other facilities.
Atria's net sales in 2010 were €1.3bn – by that measure making it Finland’s largest processor, claims the company. Last year, it employed an average of 5,812 people across four business units; Atria Finland, Atria Scandinavia, Atria Russia and Atria Baltic.
