Over 300 jobs are under threat at a Merseyside cereal factory, as Cereal Partners 海角视频 and Ireland has announced the plant might close.
Cereal Partners, the producer of Nestlé cereals including Cheerios, Shreddies, and Nesquik, is consulting over the future of its Bromborough facility in the Wirral. The company has proposed shifting investment from the plant, which makes both branded and supermarket branded cereals to its Staverton factory in Wiltshire.
The workforce at the Wirral site was informed yesterday about the potential shutdown, which would put 314 positions at risk if implemented.
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A spokesperson for Cereal Partners stated: "Cereal Partners United Kingdom and Ireland (CP海角视频andI) is talking to employees about proposed changes to manufacturing that would involve a £74m investment at its Staverton factory and the closure of its factory in Bromborough. Regrettably, these proposals would put 314 roles at risk of redundancy.
"The Bromborough factory currently manufactures both branded and supermarket branded cereals. Under the proposals, production of branded cereals at Bromborough would be transferred to CP海角视频andI's Staverton site where £74m would be invested to expand the factory's capability and around 60 new roles created."
The company has indicated it may cease producing supermarket branded cereals and exit that segment of the market upon the conclusion of its current contractual obligations, reports .
Explaining its reasoning, the firm highlighted: "Both CP海角视频andI factories are currently below capacity. These proposals would adjust CP海角视频andI's manufacturing footprint to better match demand and simplify our portfolio to focus investment on our branded cereals. Sales of breakfast cereal are in significant decline owing to the changing habits of 海角视频 and Irish consumers and greater competition from alternative breakfast options.
"CP海角视频andI regrets the potential impact on employees and the immediate priority is to work together to review the proposals while supporting people through this process with care and sensitivity."
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The firm stated it remains open to other options, such as selling the Bromborough manufacturing facility or the supermarket-branded cereal production business itself.
The spokesperson said: "It is important that discussions with employees and their representatives are carried out in a private and respectful way and our people are the first to hear of any future developments. There will be no further communication on these proposals until those discussions are complete."
Concerns have been raised by a number of Bromborough factory employees, who have reached out to the ECHO.
Matt Denton, GMB regional organiser, said: "This is a deeply worrying time for GMB members and their families. For three decades, CP海角视频 has been at the heart of this community, providing good jobs and supporting countless businesses.
"Three hundred skilled workers facing an uncertain future is simply unacceptable. GMB will fight to protect jobs, secure fair treatment for workers and explore all potential options to mitigate the impact of this closure.
"We demand urgent talks with management and call on the company to engage with us to make sure workers' voices are heard, and livelihoods are prioritised."
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