Over 150 jobs at risk at Stockport McVitie’s factory

Pladis UK, the group behind biscuit brand McVitie’s, is considering cutting over 150 jobs from its manufacturing site in Heaton Chapel, Stockport, as part of restructuring plans.

Plans for the site on Wellington Road North could see up to 159 of the 470 staff at the Stockport factory lose the jobs as part of plans by Pladis UK to mitigate the impact rising production costs. The firm is being affected by increased energy costs, supply chain disruption and rising ingredients prices, all coupled with changing demand from consumers.

Pladis UK, which is also behind the Godiva, Carr’s and Jacob’s brands, has justified the job losses saying that the Stockport McVitie’s site is ‘no longer sustainable’ in its current operating model.

Nina Sparks, Vice President of Supply Chain pladis UK & Ireland said:

“pladis is the proud custodian of some of the world’s best-loved snacking brands and we believe strongly in their enduring consumer appeal. But, like many other businesses, we are grappling with new and growing external pressures.

“We must, therefore, review and consider appropriate steps to safeguard the future of our whole business.”

Trade union Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) and Pladis UK will now enter consultation talks on the job losses.

Dave Gill, Usdaw National Officer commented:

“This is devastating news for our members, many of whom have given long service to the company and all worked throughout the pandemic when food manufacturing was identified as an essential service.

“We will now enter into meaningful consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate their business case for these proposed job losses. Our priorities are to keep as many staff employed within the business as possible and avoid compulsory redundancies.

“In the meantime we are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they need at this difficult time.”