Huge job cuts at Unilever

The Anglo-Dutch consumer group, Unilever, is to cut 25,000 jobs, or about ten per cent of its global workforce, over the next five years. However, the company's Swiss operations are relatively unaffected.

The Anglo-Dutch consumer group, Unilever, is to cut 25,000 jobs, or about ten per cent of its global workforce, over the next five years. However, the company’s Swiss operations are relatively unaffected.

The cuts come as part of a vast restructuring programme aimed at reinvigorating the world’s largest consumer goods group.

Unilever employs 1,460 staff in Switzerland, with its head office in canton Zug. It also has two production plants in Münchwilen, in canton Argau, and Horn, in canton Thurgau.

Bruno Schmid, spokesman for Unilever Switzerland, said no cuts were expected beyond what was already known. Last week the group announced that 70 jobs were to go by the end of the year at its oil mill in Horn.

“Other decisions haven’t been taken, and we don’t know of any further activities up till now,” added Mr Schmid.

Unilever now plans to focus efforts on 400 key brands out of the company’s stable of roughly 1,600. Among the key brands to be emphasised will be well-known names such as Lipton tea, Dove soap and Calvin Klein fragrances.

By Tom O’Brien