Eveready East Africa has announced a series of personnel changes and internal restructuring geared to assisting the company achieve its strategic objectives.

The changes are designed to ensure the company has the optimum structure capable of providing an effective support to the ongoing implementation of its plans.

The dry cell battery maker had earlier said it would cut costs to survive turbulence in the market. This was after it posted a loss for year ended September 2011, when sales fell due to competition and soaring costs.

The firm also blamed a one-off payment to cater for waste management and another injection into its pension scheme to plug a deficit from a decline in the equities market.

According to the firm, a jump in prices of raw materials and the fluctuation of regional currencies against the dollar led to a pre-tax loss of Sh173 million in the year to September 2011 from a profit of Sh15 million the previous year. Net sales also fell 16 per cent Sh1.4 billion, and the firm said it would not pay a dividend.

Eveready has had its fortunes dwindle significantly due to counterfeits in the market, growing adoption of solar in households and rural electrification — factors which combined in the past to wean the market of Eveready products.

To survive the market, the company’s commercial division and the sales and marketing function have been separated. Anthony Waiganjo, who joined the company last year as a regional sales manager, takes over as national sales manager.

“Changes to our senior management team ensure we have the right structures manned with the right skills and experience to deliver to move to the next phase of transformation,” said Eveready Managing Director Jackson Mutua.

The functions of human resources, legal, corporate affairs and administration will report to a newly created position of Head of Corporate, Legal, Human Resource & Administration headed by Margaret Odhiambo.

Ms Odhiambo joined Eveready in 2007 from private practice. She has over seven years experience in legal & corporate services and holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law and is pursuing a Masters in Business Administration and CPS qualification.

Samuel Aggrey, who joined the company in 2009, has over seven years experience in Finance and takes over responsibility for the company’s finance function. He also joins the company’s executive team.

David Koskei, a holder of a Bachelor of Commerce degree with over 12 years experience in sales and marketing will continue to perform as the company’s export sales manager.

The lean outfit is aimed at expediting decision-making and improve focus on the company’s programmes and brand management.

By JACKSON OKOTH, The Standard

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