- Inghams Group (ING) has reported five cases of COVID-19 among employees at its Thomastown Further Processing Plant in Victoria
- The site has been temporarily closed and all employees have been requested to self-isolate at home
- Contingency plans for such a situation have been in place for several months, and its other sites across Australia are currently operational
- The company noted that the shutdown is not likely to materially impacts its financials for the 2021 financial year
- Inghams Group shares are unchanged in early trade, priced at $3.37 per share
Inghams Group (ING) has reported five cases of COVID-19 among employees at its Thomastown Further Processing Plant in Victoria.
The site has been temporarily suspended, and all employees have been requested to self-isolate.
Inghams noted that contingency plans for such an event have been in place for several months, and that it has been working in consultation with the Victorian Department of Health to put in place all necessary protocols.
Kim Leighton, the Managing Director and CEO of Inghams Group, said the closure of Thomastown was a proactive step, and that the company is well-prepared to manage the disruption.
“It is imperative that we continue do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of our people, communities and to assist in controlling the spread of the coronavirus,” Kim explained.
“Inghams has worked diligently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain the highest standards of health and safety for our people, whilst maintaining flexibility to ensure we service our customers and consumers through this period of uncertainty,” he added.
While the company’s other operations across Australia and in New Zealand remain unaffected, Inghams said it will work with its customers to minimise any supply chain disruptions and to ensure the continued availability of its products.
The temporary shutdown is not expected to materially impact Inghams’ financial performance for the 2021 financial year.
So far this year, the company’s share price has had a turbulent run, but managed to stave off any sustained decrease. The biggest drop was seen in mid-March, when Inghams’ shares fell just over 14 per cent from March 17 to March 18.
Inghams Group shares are unchanged in early trade, priced at $3.37 per share at 10:26 am AEST.