54 lose jobs in closure

By Rebecca Fraser
CARTON manufacturer Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) will close its Dandenong manufacturing plant and relocate its head office by October.
A total of 54 workers will lose their jobs with production phased out over the next three months at the Healey Road plant and all operations ceased by the end of October.
CHH Packaging Australia chief executive Jim Snelson said the company was unable to sustain the work site because of price pressures from customers, softening industry demand and the subsequent need to reduce their manufacturing plants.
“We regret the need to close the site and appreciate the news will be very difficult for our 54 manufacturing employees and their families.
“Those affected by this decision will naturally receive their full entitlements and the company will do everything possible to reduce the uncertainty and support our employees through the process of finding alternative employment,” he said.
CHH Packaging Australia will now consolidate its Victorian manufacturing at their Reservoir site who could mean the creation of 24 new jobs.
The company said they would explore all practical opportunities for redeployment of Dandenong employees.
The 19 head office employees will move to a yet to be determined site.