Workers on V theft charges

It's alleged Raymond Daniel Whimp, 39, and Kamal Krishna Goundar, 30, stole about $15,000 worth of product in May, as well as a barbecue and two cooler tables. Photo / David White

Perhaps they really needed to invigorate their bodies and minds.

Two ex-employees of drink company Frucor have been charged with stealing more than 10,000 cans of the energy drink V.

It's alleged Raymond Daniel Whimp, 39, and Kamal Krishna Goundar, 30, stole about $15,000 worth of product in May, as well as a barbecue and two cooler tables.

Whimp worked in quality control and Goundar in distribution.

A Frucor spokeswoman said the pair were fired last month after police located the missing items.

She added the company had a strong emphasis on "straight up" values, so she was disappointed staff were let go in such circumstances.

Goundar had been nicknamed "Kamikaze" at work after he took part in a lunchtime get-fit challenge. "We're a very tight-knit company," she said.

Frucor had just been awarded Best Employer status by human resources company Aon Hewitt.

The pair had not entered a plea and were due to reappear at Manukau District Court later this month.