SAINT-HYACINTHE, QUEBEC — Canadian poultry and pork processor and distributor Olymel announced a restructuring of its business, resulting in the elimination of 177 management positions. Of that number, 120 were recently open in the last few months, leaving 57 current employees to be laid off.

After reviewing the effectiveness and redundancy of administrative roles within the company, Olymel believes the reorganization will help eliminate duplicate tasks and lead to savings and efficiency gains to meet market conditions.

“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and a historic labor shortage at our facilities, market and supply chain disruptions, raw material price inflation and an uncertain global economic landscape are all factors that make a case for optimized company business models,” said Yanick Gervais, president and chief executive officer at Olymel. “Olymel is no exception.

“After careful analysis, the difficult decision to significantly reduce our management staff is an answer to the need to adapt to unpredictable market conditions and to better position the company for the future. On behalf of all my colleagues, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to each of the managers affected by this decision for their service to the company over the years. Olymel will do everything possible to ensure that these employees are supported as they continue their careers.”

The company employs over 14,000 people and has production and processing facilities in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. The job cuts will mostly affect administrative positions in Quebec.