KUALA LUMPUR: Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd has clarified a report that it will shut down several of its operations in Malaysia this year, which will leave hundreds of its workers unemployed.
In a statement on Thursday (June 1), the electrical home appliances manufacturer said it has only closed two product manufacturing departments at the Shah Alam 1 (SA1) plants, while it has no plans to close other operations in Malaysia.
“We completed a rationalisation exercise and business restructuring on March 31. This was in-line with the closure of two product manufacturing departments at the Shah Alam 1 (SA1) plant only,” it said.
It reiterated that “no other plants or departments other than the one stated are affected”.
Panasonic said a nominal number of employees within the affected departments were provided with the option of a Mutual Separation Scheme (MSS), and a significant proportion of them voluntarily opted for the opportunity.
“As an organisation dedicated to maintaining a culture of respect and responsibility, we have been engaging closely with our employees on this matter, while providing assistance and support throughout the process.
“During this rationalisation exercise, those employees who opted for the MSS have received fair and equitable compensation packages which are above industry norms,” it said.
For the remaining number of employees who did not opt for the MSS, Panasonic has offered them to be transferred to other relevant departments within the company, in positions that suit their skill sets and potential for growth.
Panasonic said that the group is constantly looking at how it can best adapt and navigate to maximise business efficiencies and grow the company sustainably, amid the complex environment.
“The strategies undertaken are thoroughly thought out and any decisions regarding our workforce are made with the utmost consideration and deliberation,” it said.
Meanwhile, the company said that it has appointed Takashi Sugihara as its new managing director, replacing Kenji Kamada.
It said that Sugihara has more than 35 years of working experience with Panasonic.
He joined the corporate planning department of Panasonic in 1988 and has been involved with strategic business planning, and had taken up various assignments of planning, sales and marketing in America from 1999 to 2005. Sugihara was then assigned as general manager to the procurement department at the telecom company Panasonic Communications (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, for the period 2005 to 2008.
Source : The Edge Markets
