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Geon cuts 5% of staff as Group "reorganises"

Geon cuts 5% of staff as Group "reorganises"
by Steve Crowe
Dec 17, 2008
Find more like: Geon | Group | job | cuts

Print conglomerate Geon Group has retrenched staff across its local operations today, and has admitted that further cuts are possible.

According to Stuart Shirvington, Geon’s general manager of operations, the retrenchments amount to less than five per cent of its 1440-strong workforce.

“I can confirm that we are doing some reorganisation, and not just in New South Wales,” he told ProPrint. “It’s in line with the current economic climate, and part of a normal process. I can’t give you exact numbers as we’re still going through the process, and it’s pretty early – it’s happening today – but they’re not big numbers. We continue to manage our business, and it doesn’t change our overall strategy.”

Geon Group joins a growing number of print operations in Australia and overseas in cutting costs through both operational streamlining and in staff cuts.

“This is going across our business, not just in New South Wales,” said Shirvington. “Businesses go through these processes from time to time. We’re talking to our staff about the continual growth we’re on, and the things that we’re doing, and that hasn’t changed. We’re still pushing ahead with our technology investments, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

“We’ve invested in a lot of software and IT. We‘ve bought pieces of equipment across the Group, including digital equipment recently, and smaller items like laminators and so on. We’ve moved printing presses all around the Group.”

Geon’s new facilities in Queensland and New Zealand are still on track, according to Shirvington.

“Our new site in Queensland, at Eagle Farm, is now up and running. It’s been operational for about six weeks now. And our Highbrook [Auckland] site in New Zealand (pictured) is a great success. It’s been running since about January this year, and Andrew Durran is very proud of it. It’s the largest sheetfed operation in New Zealand.”


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Comments: 7
cowards.
Proprint Magazine - comments icon Posted by dirkFeb 20, 2009 12:50 PM
geon, like its cousin, blue star, is all about going into a place, ripping the guts out, throwing out the workers, keeping the bludgers, and just making the whole place dreadful to work in, mr. shirvington, do you converse with mr. mitchell at blue star, sounds like it, do you know as little as mr. mitchell with what is going on around you. are you going to promise the world, deliver nothing, and sell the joint from under them, only time will tell, somehow i think the future aint lookin rosy fellow print people, the folder operatords, the printers, the table hands, looks like the writing is on the wall, good luck.
Proprint Magazine - comments icon Posted by well how about thatFeb 20, 2009 7:26 PM
There have been many who thought the Macquarie financial model would work in print. The fact seems to be that there exists a "tipping point" beyond which profitable printing cannot survive. Consolidation will follow if the funding model can be held together.
Proprint Magazine - comments icon Posted by Ken Print ObserverMar 17, 2009 3:50 PM
Just want to comment on the proffesionalism & caring shown by the management of the GEON Highbrook site during this process. The explanations & meetings have shown staff the complexities of reaching the decisions that they have. I am happy to be an employee (or ex employee as may happen) for this caring company. To those of you who show hurt & bitterness think of those that are left that still have the oppotunity to grow this company. Dont burn your bridges.
Proprint Magazine - comments icon Posted by Valued staff memberMar 25, 2009 11:54 AM
geon and blue star are both alike.You should be worried they will sack you on the spot, they are cowards they will lose business and i really hope they will go into liquidation they belong to each other
Proprint Magazine - comments icon Posted by its me tooMar 25, 2009 8:08 PM
Wake up and smell the coffe darl. They dont give a rats behind about you either; you are just number 152437452313353. Get the rose coloured glasses off love.
Proprint Magazine - comments icon Posted by reply to the valued staff member at GeonMar 27, 2009 2:17 PM
good ole Shirvo...good to see he is still crackin heads
Proprint Magazine - comments icon Posted by boys in blueJul 9, 2009 11:25 PM
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