Kshocolat CEO clarifies redundancy decisions
Following news of marketing redundancies being made at luxury chocolate brand Kshocolat, its chief executive Simon Coyle has clarified the reasons for the decision.
Coyle explained that while the role of its marketing manager had been made redundant, the company had kept two of its three marketing roles.
He continued to say that Amanda Treend, its marketing director's role has been altered as a result of the reduction in marketing spend in the current financial climate but she will remain with Kshocolat.
It is understood that five of the company's 10 office staff had been made redundant including the two members of its customer service team and a member of its logistic department.
Meanwhile the planned spend of £1million which was announced mid 2008 has also been altered. He said that half that figure has been used but again those plans had also change as Kshocolat alters the focus of its business.
It will now place an emphasis and invest in developing its direct business, especially its corporate and online services.
Coyle told The Drum: "The decision to make any positions redundant in a small company like Kshocolat is a painful and difficult one, but unfortunately in the current economic climate we have no choice but to ensure that we are focused on our core business areas and that our business and especially our team is the correct size to continue to drive and develop the brands through these challenging times. All our affected team members have been offered full support from our management team, including not having to work their notice periods and any assistance we can provide in continuing their careers with other organisations."
He continued to say: "We are committed to limiting the impact of these changes on all our people and our business. While we deeply regret the impact these changes have on the individuals affected we have ensured that Kshocolat will weather the current economic turmoil and will continue to grow and prosper in 2009."