Programmed Maintenance
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Programmed Maintenance Services Limited
| logo = Logo_of_the_company_Programmed_Maintenance.png
| type = Subsidiary
| location = Melbourne, Victoria
| foundation = 1951
| founder = Norman Miles
| industry = Labour hire, Human Resources
| num_employees = Approximately 20,000
| parent = Persol Holdings
| homepage = {{URL|https://programmed.com.au}}
}}
Programmed Maintenance Services Limited, also known as Programmed is a Japanese Labour hire and Recruitment company, specialising in blue-collar services. It is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. Programmed is a wholly owned subsidiary of Persol Holdings, a human resource conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo.
Corporate history
Programmed Maintenance Services originated as a business named 'Miles Paint Service' in 1951. It was founded as an Australian company, headquartered in Perth.{{Cite web|date=2017-07-14|title=Programmed Maintenance shares soar on $778m takeover bid|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-14/program-maintenance-takeover/8709168|access-date=2020-07-24|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}
In 1999, Programmed was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under the ticker (PRG).
In 2015, Programmed acquired Skilled Group, for $650M.{{Cite web|date=2015-06-24|title=With Skilled Group buy, patience pays off for Programmed Maintenance|url=https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/with-skilled-group-buy-patience-pays-off-for-programmed-maintenance-20150624-ghw75q|access-date=2020-07-24|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}} The acquisition resulted in financial troubles for the company.
Programmed was acquired by Persol Holdings (Japan's largest labour hire corporation), in 2017 for $778M.{{Cite web|date=2017-07-14|title=Japan's Persol snaps up Programmed Maintenance Services in $778m takeover deal|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/infrastructure/japans-persol-snaps-up-programmed-maintenance-services-in-778m-takeover-deal-20170714-gxb46x|access-date=2020-07-24|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}} Following this acquisition, Programmed was delisted from the ASX.{{Cite web|title=Programmed ASX Archive|url=https://programmed.com.au/asx-archive|access-date=2020-07-24|website=programmed.com.au}}
Controversies
= Carlton & United Breweries dispute =
In 2016, a major industrial dispute arose at Carlton & United Breweries' (CUB) Abbotsford plant, after workers at the facility were told that their de jure employer would become a subsidiary of Programmed.{{Cite web|date=2016-08-25|title=Brewery worker agreement was voted on by three casuals|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-26/carlton-united-breweries-worker-dispute-exclusive-details/7785170|access-date=2020-07-24|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}} This resulted in a strike after it was proposed that applicable enterprise bargaining agreement at the workplace would have a significantly lower rate than previously; with a wage only 50 cents above the applicable Industrial award.{{Cite web|date=2016-12-07|title=Call to end CUB beer and cider boycott after deal struck|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-07/cub-beer-cider-boycott-deal-struck-on-workers-jobs-union-says/8099886|access-date=2020-07-24|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}
The controversy heightened when it was realized that the agreement had been established in 2014, by a subsidiary of Programmed named Catalyst Services; and was voted upon by just three casual workers at the time.
Most of the workers at the facility refused to sign onto their new employment contracts under those conditions, and began a picketing campaign that lasted 6 months. In December 2016, an agreement was reached between the Electrical Trades Union of Australia and CUB resolving the dispute.
Sponsorships
In 2009, Programmed became a major sponsor of Fremantle Football Club, being featured on the teams Away Guernseys.{{Cite web|last=Wildie|first=Tom|date=2018-05-10|title=Fremantle Dockers sponsors issue please explain notice as second club complaint confirmed|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-10/fremantle-dockers-sponsors-issue-please-explain-notice/9748878|access-date=2020-07-28|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Labour Hire}}
Category:Australian companies established in 1951
Category:Business services companies established in 1951
Category:Companies based in Melbourne
Category:Companies formerly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange
Category:2015 mergers and acquisitions
Category:2017 mergers and acquisitions
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