OL GROUP has announced the closure of Windhoek’s Hartlief Shop and Bistro on 15 July to cut costs and focus on core meat-processing operations.
The company yesterday announced that it did a review of Hartlief’s operations over the past year, finding that the shop and bistro in Windhoek’s Northern Industrial Area was operating outside the company’s core business and was not generating the level of returns required to remain sustainable.
Hartlief is best known for meat processing and distribution, and OL says it now wants to focus its resources on those activities.
The company says keeping the restaurant and retail outlet open would have diverted resources away from areas that are more important to Hartlief’s future growth.
OL Group executive chairman and Hartlief managing director Sven Thieme yesterday said the decision is part of a review of all OL businesses as the group works towards its vision 2029 strategy.
He said closing the shop and bistro would help simplify operations, reduce costs and allow the company to invest more in its core business.
“The difficult decision allows us to strengthen Hartlief’s core capabilities and ensure we remain on the right path to build a sustainable business,” Thieme said.
OL stressed that the closure is not linked to employees’ performance, adding that the affected workers would remain permanently employed and that discussions have already started with staff about possible redeployment opportunities within the business.
OL said it would consider short-term training and skills development to assist employees in transitioning to available positions.
Customers will still be able to buy Hartlief products from retail stores across the country and at the Hilltop deli in Kleine Kuppe, it said.
Hartlief is a Namibian meat-processing company that became part of OL in November 2019 when the company acquired a majority stake in Hartlief Corporation Ltd.
The company produces a range of processed meat products and manages operations from production to distribution.
Hartlief supplies products across Namibia and exports to South Africa and other African countries.
It also exports fresh and frozen lamb meat to neighbouring countries and selected markets in Europe.
