Nestlé to Cut 300 UK Jobs and Move Blue Riband to Poland

26 Apr 2017 --- Nestlé UK is informing employees of proposals to make some changes to the factory operations within its UK confectionery business. These proposals span four different sites: York, Fawdon, Halifax and Girvan and may result in a reduction of 298 roles, predominantly at York and Fawdon, through 2017 and 2018. The company expects that these would be achieved through voluntary redundancies.

The proposed changes include amended and standardised shift patterns at each factory and, at Fawdon, the most complex of Nestlé’s UK confectionery sites, the transfer of Blue Riband production to a Nestlé factory in Poland. This would mean being able to simplify and focus Fawdon’s operation. 

The change will end 81 years of British production of the wafer snack, which was originally manufactured in Scotland but is now made in Nestlé’s Fawdon plant in Newcastle.

In a statement, the company reported that: “These proposals are being made by Nestlé UK to ensure that these sites operate more efficiently and remain competitive in a rapidly changing external environment.”

“A 45 day consultation on these proposals will commence as soon as possible with trade unions and employee representatives. Nestlé UK appreciates that this is an uncertain time for employees and will work hard to ensure all are supported through this difficult period,” the statement concluded.

The GMB and Unite unions have said that the proposed cuts were savage and unacceptable, and urged the government to intervene.