Zarah ChoudharyA Merseyside factory which produces Cheerios may be set for closure, putting over 300 jobs at risk.
Cereal Partner UK (CPUK) in Bromborough, which also makes rice crispies and cornflakes for all major supermarkets, has operated for more than 30 years.
Despite the Bromborough factory being profitable, the company plans to close the site and move production to its site in Staverton, Wiltshire according to the union.
Matt Denton, regional organiser at GMB, said: “This is a deeply worrying time for GMB members and their families.
“For three decades, CPUK 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.”
A spokesperson from CPUK responded: “Cereal Partners United Kingdom and Ireland (CPUK&I) 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 CPUK&I’s Staverton site where £74m would be invested to expand the factory’s capability and around 60 new roles created.
“In addition, CPUK&I is proposing to cease production of supermarket branded cereals and exit the supermarket branded cereal business at the end of its current contracts.
“Both CPUK&I factories are currently below capacity. These proposals would adjust CPUK&I’s manufacturing footprint to better match demand and simplify our portfolio to focus investment on our branded cereals.”
The spokesperson added: “Sales of breakfast cereal are in significant decline owing to the changing habits of UK and Irish consumers and greater competition from alternative breakfast options.
“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.
“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.”
