Goodman Fielder has denied a formal bid has been made for its Hamilton meat business as 125 jobs at the facility remain in jeopardy.
As announced earlier this month, Goodman Fielder has decided to divest its New Zealand meat and pizza businesses, viewing them as non-core categories for the food manufacturing company.
An employee consultation process is underway after Hellers proposed to by Goodman’s meat business. It has been proposed that the Frankton, Hamilton processing activities be transferred to Christchurch and Auckland sites, with 125 jobs lost.
Fairfax reports that the FIRST Union has claimed another bid by a “consortium of investors” had been made.
However, Goodman has denied this. A petition has been launched by a Labour MP and Hamilton City councillors have requested the Commerce Commission investigate the $17 million sale, citing Hellers market share.
"We remain in the consultation process with our employees; it is the only process we are working through, and it is confidential,” a Goodman Fielder spokesperson told Fairfax, denying that the consortium had launched a formal bid.
"We have not received a formal bid as part of that process."
Image: Fairfax