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Nestlé Germany has announced its plans to refocus its "field service activities" in response to a more challenging environment and heightened demands for competitiveness and growth. A spokesperson for Nestlé told FoodBev that about 80 employees will be affected by the restructuring. The changes involve the Maggi and Purina Petcare brands, which will be consolidated into a common field service organisation in the future. Meanwhile, all activities for coffee, confectionery and dairy in Germany will be outsourced to an external partner who will also manage the plant-based Garden Gourmet brand and the condiment brand Thomy. The external partner has not yet been named. A spokesperson from Nestlé said: “The decision to work more closely with external partners is based on positive experiences from the past: categories such as Nestlé Nutrition or the cereals division have already been successfully managed by external agencies for years. The good quality of care in the retail sector will be ensured in the future.” The spokesperson continued: “The aim is to find good and socially acceptable solutions for all and to make use of the possibility of part-time work for older workers. The plans are to be implemented by the end of 2024/beginning of 2025, subject to all agreements.” The news comes after the company announced its decision to reduce over 70 jobs in Solon, Ohio, in early November. Additionally, Nestlé revealed last month the closure of a baby formula plant in Ireland, putting over 540 jobs at risk. In both instances, Nestlé attributed the actions to shifts in market and consumer trends.