Heinz Wattie’s has announced a proposal to shutter three of its manufacturing facilities in New Zealand as part of a restructuring of parts of its local operations. The planned plant closures would affect sites in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, according to the company's statement.
In addition to the proposed factory shutdowns, the company said it intends to end packing operations connected to frozen product lines at a separate site in Hastings. Taken together, those actions are expected to impact approximately 350 roles across the affected locations.
Heinz Wattie’s operates as a subsidiary of Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC). In its announcement the company outlined a set of product lines that would be discontinued under the proposal. Those include the sale and production of frozen vegetables, Gregg’s coffee, and several dip brands listed by the company - Mediterranean, Just Hummus and Good Taste Company.
The company attributed the proposed changes to what it described as increasingly difficult manufacturing conditions in New Zealand. In its explanation, management cited pressures from global inflation alongside broader challenges facing the industry as factors behind the decision to propose the closures and product discontinuations.
The proposal, as communicated by Heinz Wattie’s, remains subject to the relevant consultation and approval processes required under local rules. The company did not provide further operational timelines or additional details on potential redeployment or support measures for impacted employees in the statement.
Contextual notes within the announcement focused on operational adjustments rather than financial targets or revised guidance. No new production locations or alternative manufacturing arrangements were detailed in the information released by the company.
Stakeholders in the domestic food manufacturing sector, including suppliers, logistics providers and local labour markets in the cities named, are likely to monitor any formal decisions that follow the proposal. Heinz Wattie’s characterized the move as a response to the current operating environment rather than a measure driven by a single internal factor.