Swiss Dairy Food restructures, cuts jobs

Switzerland’s major dairy producing company, Swiss Dairy Food, said on Thursday it was restructuring its production facilities to boost its competitiveness both domestically and abroad. About 150 jobs will be cut.

Switzerland’s major dairy producing company, Swiss Dairy Food, said on Thursday it was restructuring its production facilities to boost its competitiveness both domestically and abroad. About 150 jobs will be cut.

Dairy Food, which was created after a merger between brand names Toni and Säntis in July, said it was closing its production plants in Zurich and Dietikon in a move that affects 270 workers.

A total of between 110 and 120 production jobs would be moved from those two locations to Ostermundingen in canton Berne, Gossau in canton St. Gallen and Lausanne in canton Vaud.

The company said it had plans to soften the impact for those losing their jobs, but it did not reveal any details.

A trade union spokesman said he hoped that as many as possible of those laid off would be offered to take early retirement, adding that negotiations with Dairy Food management were planned for next week.

Swiss Dairy Food, which has a workforce of about 2,600, is best known in Switzerland for its Toni yoghurt. The company also produces butter, muesli, cheese, ice cream and diet products.

When the company presented its new brand name in July, management described the merger as a “new start and the first step toward a promising future.”

The company has been in the red and is trying to reposition itself in a “liberalised and international milk market.” Dairy Food says it hopes for a turnover of over SFr2 billion ($1.2 billion) this year.

From staff and wire reports.