Toyota's Altona plant shut down
Updated: 13:24, Saturday January 17, 2009
Toyota Australia's Altona plant will be shut down for eight days in response to reduced demand in domestic and export markets.
Production of four-cylinder Camry and six-cylinder Aurion models will cease for eight days between March and May 2009, affecting 3,500 employees.
Workers at the plant in Melbourne's west were informed of the plan on Friday.
Toyota Australia corporate services executive director Bernie O'Connor said the shutdown would be managed by use of rostered days off and some annual leave.
'We have developed this schedule in such a way that it minimises the impact on our employees and their pay, maximises flexibility and cost efficiency and minimises impact to customers and suppliers,' Mr O'Connor said in a statement.
'The immediate welfare of our employees remains our prime consideration.
'We have already implemented a number of measures, including slowing the production line, in an effort to address the change in operating conditions,' he added.
Mr O'Connor said export markets had been performing at record levels with more than 100,000 cars exported in 2008, mainly to the Middle East.