As end of the month nears, big headlines continue to dominate FMCG. Take a look back at the big stories of the week.
Supermarket giant Coles is working with transport, retail and farm unions to ensure a safer environment for workers in the fresh produce and meat industry. The supermarket giant committed to work with the Transport Workers’ Union, the Australian Workers’ Union and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association to deal with worker exploitation and healthy and safety risks.
Diageo overhauled family leave policy
Beverage giant Diageo extended paid family leave to 26 weeks for employees in Australia. Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes said it will allow employees to “focus on the joy of raising a young family, while continuing to thrive at work”. The beverage company aims to support a work life balance, create more opportunities and help employees gain job fulfillment.
Fonterra closed century-old Victoria factory
Dairy co-operative Fonterra closed its more than 100-year-old Dennington factory in Victoria with the loss of 98 jobs. Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said it was a “tough call” but that the facility is “not viable” anymore in a low-milk pool environment. The dairy giant revised its earnings guidance range from 15 – 25 cents per share to 10 – 15 cents per share as the Australia Ingredients division is facing challenges.
Hungry Jacks and Four’N Twenty celebrated Heinz 150 years
Australian pie maker Four’N Twenty and fast food outlet Hungry Jacks joined the 150 year celebrations of ketchup brand Heinz with birthday billboards in Sydney and Melbourne. Shalabh Atray, CMO of Kraft Heinz Australia said “the partnerships that have been fostered with great companies that use our products to complement their own” made it possible for them to reach hundred years.
P&G created organic Tampax and Always ranges
FMCG giant Procter & Gamble has created organic ranges of known sanitary products Tampax and Always. Both ranges are free from dyes, fragrances, and chlorine bleaching. Amy Krajewski, section head global Tampax research & development said after speaking with thousands of tampon users “it was clear that there was still a big unmet need in the natural menstrual category – an option that worked well”.
That’s all for now. Have a good weekend!
