Yeo Hiap Seng to cut 25 jobs in Singapore as can manufacturing shifts to Malaysia operations
Yeo’s will retrench 25 staff in Singapore as it shifts can manufacturing to Malaysia. The company says the move will improve efficiency while pledging support for affected workers through redeployment opportunities and assistance programmes.
- Yeo’s to retrench 25 staff as production shifts to Malaysia
- Move aims to improve efficiency amid declining revenue
- Support measures and redeployment options offered to workers
SINGAPORE: Drinks manufacturer Yeo Hiap Seng announced it will lay off 25 employees at its Senoko facility as part of a strategic consolidation of can manufacturing operations in Malaysia.
According to a filing on the Singapore Exchange, the move is intended to streamline production across its regional network.
“This consolidation enables the Group’s Johor and Selangor facilities to optimise capacity utilisation and strengthen overall manufacturing efficiency across its network,” the company said in a media statement.
Senoko facility to retain key roles
Despite the retrenchments, Yeo’s confirmed that its Senoko site will continue functioning as its corporate headquarters, cross-border logistics hub, and a smaller-scale manufacturing centre.
The company added that affected employees will receive support during the transition.
“Yeo’s is fully committed to helping affected employees with job placement assistance, career guidance and counselling support,” it said, noting that opportunities in Malaysia will be offered where possible.
Support measures and union collaboration
Yeo’s said it worked closely with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union to ensure fair retrenchment terms.
The company stated that benefits were aligned with national guidelines.
“These benefits will be commensurate with each employee’s salary and years of service,” it said, adding that the package follows the Ministry of Manpower’s Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment.
Financial performance and industry pressures
The announcement comes despite Yeo’s reporting a higher net profit of S$21.1 million for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, compared with S$6.9 million the previous year.
However, both overall revenue and core food and beverage revenue declined, reflecting weaker consumer spending and intensified competition.
This marks the company’s second retrenchment exercise in recent years.
In December 2024, Yeo’s cut 25 roles following the closure of a partner production line.
In 2022, it reduced its workforce by 32 employees due to cost pressures and shifting consumer behaviour.
The latest move follows a broader trend in Singapore’s beverage sector, including a recent announcement by a major brewer to phase out large-scale operations locally.
