(Update) Heinz / Layoffs in Canada and US

Food company H.J. Heinz Co. is eliminating 600 jobs across the U.S. and in Canada, including 350 in Pittsburgh, nearly a third of its operation there, it said Tuesday.

The company was sold in June and the layoffs were the result of a review of operations, spokesman Michael Mullen said. They’re intended to enable faster decision-making, increased accountability and accelerated growth, he said.

Mullen said that as part of the transition to a private company, the Heinz leadership “examined every piece of our business to better position Heinz in a very competitive global market” and that review “resulted in a number of difficult but necessary organizational changes.”

It is unclear how many of the other 250 jobs on the chopping block are in Canada.

“Out of respect for impacted employees, we intend to speak with each of them before making details available publicly,” said Heinz Canada spokeswoman Joan Patterson.

“Business will continue as usual at all our factories,” she added.

Leamington, Ont. mayor John Paterson, said he was notified of the job cuts early Tuesday.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at 

via Heinz announces layoffs in Canada, U.S. | Toronto Star.

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Heinz / Plans 80 layoffs at Idaho factory

The H.J. Heinz Co. plans to lay off 80 full-time employees at its Pocatello, Idaho, factory in March, following the discontinuation of the T.G.I. Friday’s frozen meal line. “The factory also will be adjusting its production schedule to maximize efficiency and effectively manage costs,” according to a statement from the Pittsburgh food company. The factory, which makes frozen entrees and snacks, will continue to employ more than 400 full-time workers.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor from

via Business Briefs: Heinz plans layoffs at Idaho factory – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.