Yeo’s lays off 25 staff in S’pore, affected employees will receive retrenchment benefits
Local drinks brand Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) has laid off 25 employees in Singapore as it shifts its can manufacturing operations to Malaysia.
In a media statement posted on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) website on Tuesday (31 March), it said its facility in Senoko will remain as its headquarters.
Source: Yeo’s on Facebook
Yeo’s M’sia facilities to take on a greater share of production
The move was described as a “consolidation” that enables Yeo’s facilities in Johor and Selangor to take on a greater share of production, thus optimising capacity and strengthening the overall manufacturing efficiency across its network.
As for the Senoko facility, it will serve as a cross-border logistics hub and smaller-scale manufacturing centre, besides being its headquarters.
In response to queries from MS News, a Yeo’s spokesperson said the Senoko facility will “continue to support light manufacturing activities, along with logistics optimisation, commercialisation initiatives, innovation work and regional coordination”.
Source: Google Maps
Yeo’s to support staff after it lays them off
In its statement, Yeo’s said it “deeply regrets” the layoffs and would support affected employees through the transition.
This will include retrenchment benefits based on each employee’s salary and years of service.
The company has worked closely with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU) on the package, which is also in line with the Ministry of Manpower’s Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment.
Yeo’s also committed to helping affected employees with job placement assistance, career guidance and counselling support, it said, adding:
Wherever possible, opportunities for open roles within Yeo’s Malaysia will be offered.
All the affected employees are from its can manufacturing roles, the Yeo’s spokesperson told MS News, confirming that no additional layoffs are expected in Singapore.
Source: Yeo’s on Facebook
Yeo’s informed FDAWU about layoffs in advance
In a statement on the same day, FDAWU said Yeo’s had informed the union about the layoffs in advance.
FDAWU representatives were also present to support affected staff when the company announced the layoffs at its headquarters.
Moving forward, the union will support affected workers in their next steps, including career planning, job transitions, and skills upgrading.
Workers may also tap the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), which provides Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) with services such as job matching, career coaching and advisory support.
Source: NTUC
Tiger Beer producers shifting production to M’sia & Vietnam
Yeo’s announcement follows a similar move by another drink manufacturer.
Asia-Pacific Breweries Singapore (APBS), which produces homegrown brand Tiger Beer, is set to scale down brewing operations in Singapore.
In a statement released on 24 March, parent company Heineken said large-scale brewing at its Tuas brewery will be phased down progressively by the end of 2027.
Production will be moved to established regional breweries in Malaysia and Vietnam, with APBS shifting to an import-based supply model.
Source: Tiger Beer on Facebook
The move is expected to affect about 130 jobs over the next two years, reported Channel NewsAsia (CNA).
In 2023, APBS retrenched 33 workers in Singapore, citing “changing market realities”.
Also read: Tiger Beer Parent Company Retrenches 33 S’pore Workers, Affected Staff To Receive Severance Pay
Tiger Beer Parent Company Retrenches 33 S’pore Workers, Affected Staff To Receive Severance Pay
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps and Yeo’s on Facebook.
