RUMOURS that Viterra's head office on South Terrace in Adelaide could be moved to Melbourne, Victoria, have been dismissed by State Agriculture Minister Gail Gago.
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The rumours were circulated in both metropolitan and regional media last week, raising fears hundreds of jobs could be lost from the company's South Australian operation.
Industry sources have confirmed that Adelaide will remain the head office for the company's Australian and New Zealand operations with all the grain storage and handling, malt business, grower services and corporate service functions operating from SA.
But Melbourne will be the grain trading hub for the company.
Glencore completed its acquisition of Viterra in December, nine months after the takeover was initially flagged.
The Viterra brand will be retained for all storage and handling activities, while grain marketing will occur under the Glencore name.
Ms Gago said the rumour that the Viterra head office was relocating to Melbourne was incorrect.
"I have met with Glencore, who have briefed me on their position as they proceed through their restructure and I have been advised that the head office, which is largely made up of the grains division, is not being relocated to Melbourne," she said.
"The Adelaide office is the largest in Australia and is more than double the size of the Melbourne office. Glencore has said that it also filled its senior positions with local staff."
While job cuts have not been completely ruled out, Ms Gago said Viterra had identified 140 vacancies in regional areas.
"Glencore has also indicated that they are exploring growth opportunities in other sectors where there may be synergies, such as through bulk commodity handling," she said.
Full report in Stock Journal, January 31, 2013, issue.
