Omnia to cut 125 jobs in chemicals division
The company plans to restructure the division as poor conditions in manufacturing shrink demand
Omnia, a provider of specialised chemical products and services used in the mining, agriculture and chemicals sectors, would cut 125 jobs, or 15% of the jobs in its chemicals business in a bid to counter difficulties in SA's manufacturing sector, says MD Adriaan de Lange. The looming restructuring and job losses at Omnia’s Protea Chemicals bear testimony to the effects of a constrained manufacturing sector which, in Omnia’s case, resulted in reduced production volumes and demand. Omnia’s chemicals business Protea Chemicals buys and sells chemicals.
“The issue is that we are not able to add a lot of value. We just distribute chemicals in a very competitive environment and in a market that does not grow. We are now trying to reposition the business and to focus on creating commercial solutions by focusing on the distribution channels and safe handling of chemicals,” De Lange said. He was speaking after the group’s presentation of results for the six months to September 30, when ...
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