SuperValu CEO Jeff Noddle

BOISE -- It’s certainly not shutting its doors, but another local employer is dealing with the realities of our economy.

For the first time ever, SuperValu held its annual shareholders meeting in Boise - taking questions about the company's future.

SuperValu bought the majority of Albertsons stores in June of 2006.  The company frequently holds its shareholders meetings outside of its Minnesota headquarters, and this year it chose Boise.

Almost exactly two years after the $12 billion purchase of Albertsons, SuperValu held its annual shareholders meeting in Boise.  On hand was Gov. Butch Otter to personally welcome the company.

While the transition has gone much smoother than most expected, the company is in the middle of local layoffs -- 80 corporate payroll positions will soon be outsourced to India.

"When you accept the responsibilities of these positions, you accept the responsibility to make these decisions," said Jeff Noddle, SuperValu CEO.

CEO Jeff Noddle addressed shareholder concerns on this subject.  Our cameras were not allowed in the meeting, but he met with reporters shortly thereafter. 

“You have to make those decisions.  I think the people who own the business expect us to do that," said Noddle.

Noddle says the decision was not taken lightly, but he also points out it effects a very small portion of the overall workforce.  Of the 190,000 associates companywide, 130 jobs are being eliminated. 

What hasn't been cut is the company's continued community support -- a legacy Joe Albertson firmly established with his homegrown company.

SuperValu gave $2.5 million back to the Treasure Valley in the past year.  And it will continue hosting Albertsons' traditional charity golf tournament through at least 2010.

"I look at it this way, we have over 5,000 people in Idaho, we have over 2,000 associates here in the Boise area," said Noddle.  "I'm proud of what we've done and the support we've given the community."

But with the economy being what it is, Noddle is not making promises about future cutbacks.

"Boise remains an important center of excellence and operation for us.  That's not going to change.  Can there be some adjustments over time?  I'm not going to predict, I'm not going to say that can't happen, but there's nothing else on the horizon at the moment," said Noddle.

Noddle says those 80 local positions, plus 50 others in Minneapolis, will be outsourced over the next year-and-a-half, but efforts are being made to find other jobs for those people within the company.

If that doesn't work, workers will be given assistance in finding other outside employment.