The move is effective immediately, the company said, and it is necessary to “further increase supply chain efficiencies in the European leaf tobacco market”, MTI reported. Universal Leaf Tobacco Hungary, the local division of the company, reportedly said the move is in line with the company’s strategy to “efficiently adapt its operations to changing market conditions”.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the decision was made “in part because of declining demand for Hungarian-produced tobacco”.
The company’s announcement said that the Hungarian subsidiary’s management was able to reach an agreement with the affected employees at the plant in northeast Hungary. While it was not immediately clear how many people would be laid off, the settlements will cost roughly $1 million, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
“Universal continues to be committed to the production and purchasing of Virginia flue-cured and burley tobaccos grown in Hungary and intends to maintain its traditionally strong market presence in the country,” the statement added, according to MTI.
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For over 30 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
