Latest news with #RobertsBakery
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular 138 year old bread maker that's sold in Morrisons, Tesco and Asda to axe 250 jobs
We've explained what your rights are if you're made redundant JOB CUTS Popular 138 year old bread maker that's sold in Morrisons, Tesco and Asda to axe 250 jobs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR 138 year old bakery is set to axe 250 jobs following two very difficult years. Roberts Bakers, which supplies products to major supermarkets like Asda, Morrisons, and Tesco, is set to slash its workforce at its factory in Cheshire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Roberts family has owned the business since it started in 1887 Credit: Alamy 2 Supermarkets sell the bakery's loaves for as little as £1.35 Credit: Roberts Bakery The decision follows two years of tough challenges, including a devastating fire in 2023 that severely disrupted operations. The bakery, which employs around 700 people, said it had lost two-thirds of its bread production capacity for over a year after the fire. Supermarkets sell the bakery's loaves for as little as £1.35. Despite efforts to recover, bread sales have not bounced back as expected, with customers turning to alternative suppliers during the downtime. The firm also cited wider pressures, including rising energy bills, higher ingredient costs, and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Turnover has dropped sharply, falling from £96million in 2023 to £76million, despite the company reporting a pre-tax profit of £20 million this year. Roberts said it has no choice but to restructure its operations to secure the future of the business. A consultation period lasting at least 45 days will begin soon for affected staff at the Rudheath site. Employees at Roberts' other factories in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and Winsford will not be impacted. The Roberts family has owned the business since it started in 1887. Major UK pub chain announces sweeping closures & job losses The Roberts family said the decision was "the hardest" in the bakery's 138-year history. The company said: "We've faced unprecedented challenges, including Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, and rising costs. "The fire was another blow, and rebuilding has been incredibly tough," the company said. "This step is necessary to safeguard the bakery's future." Local MP Andrew Cooper called the news "devastating" for the community. He told BBC News: "It's more than just a business, it's a local institution that generations have worked for, and taken pride in." "My thoughts are with every employee and their family at this very difficult time." Roberts Bakery's statement in full "Roberts Bakery first began serving its community of Northwich in 1887 and throughout these 138 years has been deeply rooted in that community. "As a family we have shared a strong set of values and have been immensely proud of our connection to the people we serve. "Our bread has been a part of daily life for many, making its way into homes across the UK and beyond through major supermarkets. "Today we are faced with serious challenges that mean, with sadness, we are today announcing a significant reorganisation of its operations. "This difficult but essential step, which includes redundancies, is being taken to secure the future employment and long-term sustainability of the bakery to ensure it can continue to serve the community. "Like many businesses, Roberts Bakery has faced severe challenges in recent years. We have navigated the global impact of Covid-19, the economic pressures from Russia's war in Ukraine, and the ongoing cost of living crisis, which we know has impacted families everywhere. "These factors have had a direct impact on our energy costs, ingredient prices, and the everyday budgets of our customers. "Adding to these difficulties, in 2023 a major fire at our bakery in Rudheath completely shut down a large part of our operations for a prolonged period of time. Getting back on our feet after the fire has been incredibly tough, requiring a huge effort from our team, which we are incredibly grateful for, tremendous support from the community and the understanding of our customers. "Despite our best efforts, the combined weight of these challenges has led us to make an incredibly difficult decision." Which other businesses are cutting jobs? Clarks has slashed 1,200 jobs in a bid to cut costs. Its sales dropped by nearly £100million last year, and the company lost £39.2million before tax. High costs from closing stores and property expenses have made things worse. Meanwhile, Nissan is getting rid of 250 jobs at its Sunderland factory. This comes after the car maker reported losing £4billion last year. Meanwhile, Pizza Hut is introducing digital ordering screens in all 136 of its dine-in restaurants. This change means 120 front-end staff will lose their jobs. The company employs 3,000 people across the UK and says the cuts are part of a plan to modernise its business.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Family-owned Roberts bakery firm planning to cut up to 250 jobs
Up to 250 job cuts are planned at a family-owned Cheshire bakery firm that was hit by a factory fire two years Bakery said it faced "significant" economic challenges including the fact that "bread volumes have not rebounded as anticipated" since the June 2023 a statement, Roberts said "two-thirds of the bread production capacity was lost for over a year" and "getting back on our feet after the fire has been incredibly tough".A formal consultation period of at least 45 days will begin soon for the company's workforce in Northwich. 'Hardest decision' Roberts employees in Ilkeston, Derbyshire and Winsford are expected to be Northwich-based firm, which employs about 700 people, recently reported a pre-tax profit of £20m, up from a loss of £7m in 225 and 250 roles are expected to be turnover has fallen sharply, from £96m in 2023 to £ Roberts family has owned the business since its inception in a statement, the company said "severe challenges" including the "global impact of Covid-19, the economic pressures from Russia's war in Ukraine, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis" had increased Roberts' energy bills and raw materials also said these factors had impacted their customers' budgets."It is with heavy hearts that we have to reduce the size of our workforce," the company said."This is without doubt the hardest decision our family has ever faced in the bakery's long history." 'Local institution' Andrew Cooper, Labour MP for Mid Cheshire, described it as "devastating news", particularly after the "workforce has shown incredible resilience, especially in the wake of the 2023 fire".He said: "Roberts Bakery has been part of the fabric of our community for over 130 years. It's more than just a business, it's a local institution that generations have worked for, and taken pride in."Cooper added that he visited the bakery in December to discuss the company's said: "I know this decision will not have been taken lightly. My thoughts are with every employee and their family at this very difficult time." Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
