Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has told its 470 Perth-based employees that it will be slashing local jobs but offering some of them positions in other states.
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is set to close its Bentley manufacturing facility, slashing some jobs and moving others interstate during a phased, three-year shutdown.
The 470 local staff were told of the decision on Friday and were also informed they would have the opportunity to apply for internal vacancies with the company, anywhere in Australia.
Pfizer said the decision was based on an evaluation of its global manufacturing business and would be offset by the expected investment of $140 million at its Melbourne facility to increase production capacity. It was unclear how many jobs would be lost during the restructure.
The move comes after the company sold its Adelaide manufacturing facility last month
Under Pfizer's plan, all manufacturing at the Bentley site will stop by 2023, with the site to be closed by the first quarter of 2024.
“The difficult decision to cease manufacturing in Perth will result in a loss of jobs for Perth manufacturing colleagues," a Pfizer spokesperson said.
"Colleagues will be impacted over a phased period over the next three years as we ensure continuity of supply.
"All Perth colleagues are encouraged, and will have the opportunity, to apply for any internal vacancies for which they are suitably qualified. Some roles will transition through redeployment based on manufacturing and business requirements."
According to Pfizer, the Bentley site specialises in aseptic sterile injectable manufacture in unique plastic presentations.
Most of the products are supplied to hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Staff at the site also make a range of oncology products, which are exported to North America, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia and China. Across all production areas, the site manufactures 120 million doses annually.
Some of those products will be manufactured at Pfizer's Melbourne site after the closure, while others will be made overseas..
Pfizer said it would keep staff informed about the closure plans.
"This decision is not a reflection on the performance of our colleagues, but is in alignment with our site capacity design to meet the needs of the business. Our focus is on our colleagues impacted by this decision and providing them with support services," the spokesperson said.
