Nestle Nigeria Plc has said that the Swiss food and drinks company Nestle SA 15 percent cut its workforce in 21 African countries would not affects its operations in Nigeria.
A statement sent to New Mail on Wednesday by Sam Adenekan, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, in connection with an earlier story reported by New Mail said that the workforce cuts by Nestlé in Africa do not concern Nestlé Nigeria and indeed not Nestlé Central and West Africa Region (CWAR).
“The cuts only concern Nestlé Equatorial Africa Region (EAR). The restructuring process was carried out in January 2015 after a careful internal assessment to ensure efficiency and effectiveness and to adapt the structure to the evolution of the environment.
Adenekan said that the rationalisation has only affected around 60 people across five countries, out of a total of 21 countries in the Equatorial Africa Region.
“There are four factories in the region and these were not affected. The Equatorial African Region (EAR) accounts for 10 – 15 percent of Nestlé’s business in Africa. There has been a seven percent reduction in our workforce in EAR.
In Africa, Nestlé employs 11,000 people.
Adenekan said that Nestlé has been present in Central and West Africa since the 1950s.
“Today, it directly employs more than 6,600 employees in the region and operates in 22 countries, has 13 operating companies and runs seven factories. More than 85 percent of the products sold in the region are produced locally,” he said.
Adenekan said that Nestlé CWAR remains committed to the region and has invested CHF 645 million over the last five years. This demonstrates our confidence that the region will continue to grow.
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