Wirral Cheerios factory could close with 314 jobs at risk
A cereal factory which produces Cheerios, Shreddies and supermarket brands is facing closure with 314 jobs at risk. Cereal Partners United Kingdom and Ireland (CPUK&I) says production at its site in Bromborough, Wirral, would cease and be re-located to another factory in Wiltshire under new proposals. The company said it was exiting the market for supermarket branded cereals and would invest £74m in its Staverton factory to increase capacity for its branded products. The GMB union said the Bromborough factory was still profitable and 314 skilled workers facing an "uncertain future" was "simply unacceptable".
'Deeply worrying'
Matt Denton, GMB regional organiser, said its members working at the Bromborough site were facing a "deeply worrying time". "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," he said.CPUK&I said both its factories were below capacity and it wanted to "adjust its manufacturing footprint" to match demand. The company said sales of breakfast cereal were in "significant decline" due to changing customer habits and competition from alternative breakfast products. In a statement it said: "CPUK&I 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."CPUK&I remains open to alternative solutions, including a potential sale of the Bromborough site and/or the supermarket branded cereal manufacturing itself."The company said it would not comment further on the proposals while discussions with staff were ongoing.
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