ORANGE’S Tip Top bakery’s last loaf of bread rolled off the production line yesterday, signalling the end of an era and the final day of work for the last of the manufacturing division’s 42 redundant staff.
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Tip Top owner, George Weston Foods’ (GWF) closure of its manufacturing division means it will operate solely as a distribution centre.
Despite early assurances from GWF divisional chief executive Richard Meagher the company would work with employees to identify relocation opportunities within the business, only three Orange staffers were offered positions within the company.
Robbie Jarvis is one of two Tip Top workers offered positions in Orange, while a third worker, an electrician, was offered employment in Newcastle.
Previously the manufacturing division’s production supervisor, Mr Jarvis is now the supply chain shift manager.
According to Mr Jarvis, yesterday marked “a sad day” for many Tip Top employees.
Amid the tears and laugher of his workmates, Mr Jarvis said it was a time for reflection for many staff.
“I’ve met some good blokes that I’ve worked with over the years; a lot of them started out here as kids,” he said.
“I’ve worked here for 22 years so it is a bit sad, especially when they shut off the plant and it went dead quiet.”
While Mr Jarvis had initially planned to look for work elsewhere, he said he was pleased to have been offered a position within the company. “[Former colleagues] have been good about it; they’ve all said `good on you!’.”
Many Tip Top employees utilised the Career Transition Program to help find employment and according to the company’s NSW human resources manager Jacqui Newman, many of those who left the manufacturing division have found alternative employment.
Ms Newman said 27 people have confirmed new employment and nine are still actively looking, while others have taken some time out or retired.
All baked goods will now be manufactured at Sydney and Newcastle sites and transported across the state.
At press time a representative from the Miscellaneous Workers’ Union, which represents the Tip Top workers, had not returned calls from the Central Western Daily.