Published: 06 July 2017

Beverages manufacturer Mutare Bottling Company (MBC) has retrenched 61 employees.

Managing director Allen Lang said MBC was cutting back on staff at the main plant and at its Rusape depot as it streamlines its operations to survive the harsh operating environment.

MBC will continue to explore ways of staying afloat in spite of the hostile business terrain.

"MBC confirms that 61 employees have been affected by the restructuring of the business in response to the prevailing economic conditions," said Lang.

"The employees included those from the Rusape depot, which was closed as part of the restructuring," Lang told the Eastern News.

In 2014, the company commissioned a $17 million automated bottling plant that also resulted in some of its employees losing their jobs.

The plant had the effect of boosting production by as much as 400 percent, producing 30 000 bottles per hour, up from between 6 000 to 10 000 bottles per day.

The bottler holds the Coca-Cola franchise for the Manicaland region and had in excess of 250 employees.

The company is 63 percent owned by telecommunications group, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe.
- dailynews

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