Job fears at HumanWare

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Direction: a blind man uses a HumanWare BrailleNote laptop. The hi-tech firm will undergo further restructuring.

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Further restructuring at HumanWare could cause job losses, two months after the Christchurch exporter moved its headquarters to Canada.

Canadian-based chief executive Gilles Pepin, who is in Christchurch talking to the 65 staff, said the firm needed to make changes to remain strong and efficient. No decisions had been made, he said, but some jobs could be disestablished.

The firm, which makes hi-tech aids for the blind, was considering different ways to consolidate its work at the Christchurch design and manufacturing centre. A proposal had gone to staff, who would be consulted before the company made any final plans, Pepin said.

"In a couple of weeks we will have more information on where we go, who is affected and that kind of thing. I don't exactly know the outcome of these discussions, but what is clear is we will make some changes in the best interest of the company."

HumanWare began in Christchurch about 20 years ago by the late Dr Russell Smith, who died in a light plane crash with his wife, Marian D'Eve, in 2005. It was bought in May by Australian private-equity fund Jolimont Capital, which said at the time the company would remain headquartered in Christchurch.

Pepin would not disclose the specifics of the plan, but said the firm was considering every option, including reducing its manufacturing arm. He confirmed HumanWare would still have some business in Christchurch.

If jobs were lost, Pepin said it would look at offering them jobs in other parts of the business. HumanWare also has a development centre in Montreal and has sales teams in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

"I think the employees very much understand what we are trying to achieve. I think we are going in the right direction."

Staff had endured many changes in the last three years, including two new chief executives, Pepin said, but he added he believed Russell Smith would be happy to see things evolving in the right direction. "Staff need to see more stability but this is business, we need to make the adjustment to be a strong and efficient company."

Pepin, a French Canadian, was appointed in November. He founded VisuAidePulseData International, which HumanWare bought in 2005.

- © Fairfax NZ News