GWA to cut more jobs in latest restructure

More jobs are set to go as GWA continues to restructure and sell non-core businesses to focus on kitchens, bathrooms, doors and security.

More jobs are expected to go at GWA Group as the building fixtures supplier undertakes its last and final phase of restructuring.

GWA, whose brands include Caroma and Dorf, has already restructured its manufacturing activities and sold some non-core businesses so it can focus on its key bathrooms and kitchens, and door and security systems divisions.

Managing director Peter Crowley says GWA must now find savings across the remainder of its businesses and from its supply chain.

"It's a continuum of getting the business back to being focused on bathrooms and kitchens, driving efficiencies out of our corporate functions and just getting the business back into the right shape," Mr Crowley said on Monday.

Among the changes GWA is making is a move away from small warehouses towards using third-party logistics to help reduce corporate costs and overlaps.

Some jobs would have to go in the latest restructuring moves, Mr Crowley said, but he couldn't yet say how many.

"We're working our way through that at the moment."

GWA expects the latest restructuring initiatives to cost between $7 million and $9 million.

In October 2014, GWA announced it would phase out its Norwood plastics operation in Adelaide and close its vitreous china making facility in Sydney's west at a cost of 164 jobs - or about 10 per cent of the company's total workforce.

On Monday, GWA said it had agreed to sell its Gliderol garage doors business to Reliance Doors for around $7 million.

GWA expects to record an impairment charge against the Gliderol business of about $25 million in its 2015 accounts.

The company said its financial position was solid, the group had low debt, and the remaining business were generating strong cashflow.

Mr Crowley said GWA expected to be able to resume paying both an interim and final dividend in fiscal 2016, and the board would consider further capital management initiatives.

GWA has not paid an interim dividend in the past two financial years.

The company expects earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for 2014/15 - before restructuring costs and significant items - of $67 million to $69 million.

In February, it forecast EBIT before restructuring and significant items of around $70 million.

GWA said that if Gliderol were excluded, EBIT before restructuring costs and significant items would be around $71 million to $73 million.

GWA shares closed 12 cents lower at $2.23.


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Source: AAP


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