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Africa|Automotive|barloworld|Business|Construction|Financial|Industrial|Logistics|Services|Training|transport|Equipment|Operations
africa|automotive|barloworld|business|construction|financial|industrial|logistics|services|training|transport|equipment|operations

Barloworld warns of group-wide retrenchments

28th May 2020

By: Marleny Arnoldi

Deputy Editor Online

     

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JSE-listed industrial group Barloworld has decided to institute group-wide retrenchments, in light of foreseeable Covid-19 challenges at its operations.

The company expects the retrenchment processes to be completed by the end of the current financial year, with significant staff complement reductions planned for the Automotive and Logistics, Equipment Southern Africa and the Corporate Centre businesses.

Barloworld says it is committed to the implementation of prudent measures aimed at reducing and containing costs in an effort to preserve cash in the immediate period, while ensuring the medium- to long-term strength of the company.

The retrenchments follow after the company instituted a 12-month remuneration sacrifice plan since May 1 for employees.

For remaining employees, the company continues to offer wellness programmes, medical advice and Covid-19 training workshops.

For departing employees, Barloworld will provide individual psychological support, managerial and executive support, emotional impact pre-recorded content and career change support in the form of strength-based assessments and feedback sessions.

Additionally, the company offers continued access to its wellness services and face-to-face counselling for three months after the retrenchment.

As at May 28, Barloworld had a cash balance of more than R5-billion, with its net debt position standing at R4-billion, in line with operational cycles. 

OPERATIONS

The company’s Automotive and Logistics business has been significantly impacted on by lockdown regulations in South Africa, which limited non-essential trading, affecting key areas of the value chain.

A significant percentage of Barloworld’s Avis Budget Rent-a-Car business is driven by the on-airport market segment, and therefore fleet utilisation in the business has declined from more than 75% before the lockdown to below 30% currently.

This has subsequently started to improve as some lockdown measures have eased in South Africa.

In Motor Trading, operational activities were limited to Motor Retail that supported essential services through a select number of sites. Activity in after-sales was limited and the new-vehicle market declined by more than 90%, compared with pre-lockdown levels.

About 50% of Barloworld’s fleet in the Logistics business could operate during the lockdown levels 5 and 4, but levels of active warehouse personnel and transport volumes have since started to recover.

Further, Barloworld says that pressures on the country’s budget caused by Covid-19 restrictive measures and the oil price decline have adversely affected the construction segment.

“The group has a strong balance sheet and stable mature business platforms to weather the storm. The board and management are focused on cash preservation, lowering operating costs in line with reduced activity levels and ensuring the business is well positioned for the recovery,” the company states.

Barloworld will publish its interim results for the six months ended March 31 on or about June 30.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

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