Job Cuts Hit Chris Hemsworth’s Centr App: Concerns Rise over Australian Presence

At least 22 employees of Chris Hemsworth’s Centr Fitness, the popular training app co-founded by Chris, were unexpectedly laid off this week. The Australian workers were locked out of their computers after receiving an email from the company’s American CEO, Andrew Sugerman, confirming their redundancies. Centr Fitness, which offers workout programs, recipes, and meditations, has amassed a significant subscriber base since its launch three years ago. In 2022, the app was acquired by HighPost Capital, with Hemsworth remaining actively involved as the second largest shareholder.

The email sent by CEO Andrew Sugerman explained that the decision to centralize the company in the United States and outsource certain operations was part of an effort to transform Centr into a global wellness brand. The Melbourne office, where the affected employees were based, would see redundancies in engineering, creative services, and product functions. Sugerman emphasized that the decision was not a reflection of the employees’ performance but rather a strategic move to align the digital and physical aspects of the business more closely. The email raised concerns among the staff about the future of Centr in Australia, with one employee expressing disappointment if the company were to cease operations in the country.

One impacted team member from the engineering department revealed that the laid-off staff were immediately cut off from company communications and provided with exit interviews. The abruptness of the layoffs left the engineering team puzzled about how they would be able to manage without any handover. The app relies on over 30 interconnected systems to function properly. The departure of the Australian employees could potentially have a detrimental impact on the app’s operations.

A spokesperson for Centr expressed gratitude to the departing staff and stated that the company had decided to restructure certain functions in order to enhance efficiency and collaboration as Centr expanded its platform. They acknowledged the Melbourne office’s role as the global hub for content and customer service, as well as the base for sales and marketing in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Despite the layoffs, the company stressed its commitment to producing high-quality content.

LinkedIn employment analytics reveal that out of Centr’s 249 staff, 51 are based in Australia, primarily in Victoria. The company has recently posted a job opening for a Melbourne-based accountant, indicating that there are still plans for maintaining a presence in the city.

Following the 2022 acquisition, which reportedly earned Hemsworth $267 million, he expressed his enthusiasm about Centr joining the HighPost Capital family. Hemsworth emphasized his desire to continue the app’s success, inspire individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, expand the subscriber base, and develop exceptional new content. HighPost Capital, an investment group based in New York and co-headed by Mark Bezos, merged Centr with fitness equipment company Inspire Fitness under the name Centr LLC.

The merger with HighPost Capital is expected to provide Centr LLC with enhanced scale, synergies, and long-term opportunities due to the growing focus on personal health and well-being. While Centr remains optimistic about its future prospects, the recent redundancies and restructuring have raised concerns among loyal customers and employees regarding the company’s continued presence and operations in Australia. Only time will tell how these changes will ultimately impact the app and its dedicated user base.

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