In a press release, Atria said it would set in motion a development project that will identify overlaps in Atria’s current operations and the areas in need of improvement at the plant.
Atria estimates that by eliminating overlaps and improving productivity, it could achieve annual savings of around €1.5 million, which would materialise by the end of the first quarter of 2016. This would mean a reduction of about 25 man-years. Negotiations with staff affected by the project will start straight away.
Combined operations
In February 2014, Atria acquired Saarioinen’s procurement, slaughtering and cutting operations for beef, pork and chicken. The €30m price was paid in cash. At the time of the deal the company said 400 people would be working across the combined operations of the two businesses.
Atria is a public company with shares listed on the Nasdaq OMX Helsinki. Based in Finland, it is one of the largest food companies in the Nordic countries, Russia and the Baltic region. It has customers in retail and foodservice, plus a fast food concept business serving its own brands.
Atria's net sales in 2014 amounted to €1.4bn, and it employed 4,715 people. The group is divided into four business areas: Atria Finland, Atria Scandinavia, Atria Russia and Atria Baltic.