Clipsal will continue to produce thousands of product lines at Gepps Cross, however this decision will impact the roles of approximately 66 permanent employees (including ten management positions) and 24 full time equivalent casuals contracted through a labour hire agency. These roles will finish in stages from September 2021 through to June 2022.
Where possible, employees will be offered positions in other areas of Schneider Electric. A generous redundancy package is being offered along with assistance in finding employment, and Schneider Electric is providing a payment up to the value of $1,500 for employee training for a new role. The company is providing advanced notice to employees and contractors to assist their transition to alternative employment.
Schneider Electric is committed to Clipsal and continued manufacturing, research and design, distribution, and support functions in South Australia. Approximately 450 employees will continue at Gepps Cross, across production, manufacturing, design and administration, and the factory will continue producing iconic items such as switches and sockets, industrial products, and electrical accessories.
The 570 products which will no longer be manufactured at Gepps Cross are high-volume lines and moulded components produced on a series of plastic moulding machines which require upgrading or replacing. It is not economically feasible to upgrade or replace these machines.
Clipsal by Schneider Electric will continue to manufacture 4000 product lines at Gepps Cross, and continues to be committed to our Gepps Cross site and presence in South Australia. Since 2019, Schneider Electric has invested more than $4 million in upgrading the Gepps Cross site, which will continue to host its extensive research and development team and Innovation Hub. Key product lines that will remain include Iconic, Classic 2025 GPO, Saturn, and industrial products including all speciality made products.
“This was a tough decision because we know that this announcement impacts our people,” said Gareth O’Reilly, President Pacific Zone of Schneider Electric. “We care about our employees’ wellbeing and so we’re supporting them through this in as many ways we can to help them find new roles.”
For media enquiries, contact Elyse Glenn 0427 702 100, or Mark Forbes 0419 583 892.