Cadbury To Axe 700 jobs At UK Factories And Move To Poland

Tara · 03-10-2007, 02:25 PM

Cadbury to axe 700 jobs at UK factories... and move production to Poland | the Daily Mail

Quote:

Cadbury is to axe 700 jobs at two of its factories under restructuring plans, the chocolate giant announced today.

The plant at Keynsham near Bristol is to close with the loss of 500 jobs, while some production is to be transferred from Bournville in Birmingham to Poland, hitting another 200 posts.

The company said changes were needed to achieve "greater supply chain efficiencies", but the announcement was attacked by the Unite union.

National officer Brian Revell said the firm was acting like a "private equity asset stripper."

The company said in a statement that it needed to reduce costs and operate more effectively so it could continue to grow and remain competitive.

There will be a phased closure of the factory at Keynsham from 2009 to 2010, with chocolate production moved to Bournville and a Cadbury site in Poland.

Some chocolate assortment production will move from Bournville to Poland next year, with the loss of 200 jobs between next year and 2010.

Cadbury said it hoped to achieve phased redundancies through voluntary means, adding that it was now entering detailed consultation with workers at both sites.

Cadbury said its Bournville plant will receive an additional £40 million investment to enhance its status as a "centre of excellence" for chocolate production.

Managing director Trevor Bond said: "Cadbury is a great British company which has become an international success.

"In order to continue to compete in the extremely competitive confectionery industry in the future we need to make the right decisions today.

"Whilst the proposed closure of our Keynsham factory will be difficult for those affected, our ongoing commitment to manufacturing in the UK is absolute. Our significant investment in Bournville is a testament to that."

Unite said the land value of the site at Keynsham, known as Somerdale, the old Fry's chocolate factory which has housed confectionery manufacturing since 1919, would raise millions for Cadbury.

"Somerdale is a profitable site, a productive plant and part of Bristol's heritage as well as our manufacturing history," said Mr Revell.

"Now in a move which could realise millions in land value, a key UK manufacturing operation is to be exported to Poland."

Mr Revell accused the company of acting as if it was a private equity asset stripper and said it was "richly ironic" that such a long-established British company was turning its back on Britain.

"We were always told Somerdale was safe because there was no capacity to make its products elsewhere. It seems the truth is that means no capacity in the UK but plenty in Poland.

"Days after Gordon Brown was talking up British jobs, an iconic British company is looking to shed work here.

This is the sort of behaviour we have come to expect from the short-term, quick-strip private equity firm; not Britain's most respected chocolate manufacturer.

"We believe that the fear of being taken over by a private equity company is a factor in this tragic decision. We will support our members in fighting this decision."

Some readers comments...

Quote:

So, not only are they over here, but we are creating more jobs over there.
Well, best we all move to Poland then!

- George, Bath

The answer is simple - stop buying their products.

- Tim, Leeds, U.K.

I wont be buying Cadbury's products anymore

- Ken, Wiltshire

So without "Made in Britain" proudly on the label I hope that the Cadbury empire slips into oblivion.

- John, Tendring

Hmmm, and how are they going to staff these factories as the majority of the so called 'skilled' workers are over here?

- Michael Mcnulty, Halifax, West Yorkshire

That's the last time I buy Cadburys then. The same as I do not buy HP sauce anymore. If we all did this they would think twice.

- Ann Vara, London

Great new advert. No more Cadburys for me once they move.

- Kate, Newcastle

I will boycott Cadburys too.

Tom Wilde · 03-10-2007, 05:04 PM

So you'll boycott Cadbury's... Sainsbury's (see other thread)... I wonder how many others, when you discover that they trade with 'abroad'? Forgive me for saying so, but it like you just aren't very comfortable with the interconnected nature of the modern world.

Westcountryman · 03-10-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wilde

So you'll boycott Cadbury's... Sainsbury's (see other thread)... I wonder how many others, when you discover that they trade with 'abroad'? Forgive me for saying so, but it like you just aren't very comfortable with the interconnected nature of the modern world.

There's nothing wrong with supporting British made products.

C_steam · 03-10-2007, 05:10 PM

will cadbury's 'bourneville' chocolate (and drinking chocolate) be renamed? To, say, cadbury's Krakow?

Tara · 03-10-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wilde

So you'll boycott Cadbury's... Sainsbury's (see other thread)... I wonder how many others, when you discover that they trade with 'abroad'? Forgive me for saying so, but it like you just aren't very comfortable with the interconnected nature of the modern world.

How very pro European - I think you're on the wrong forum. If you had bothered to read the article 'Mr worlds first surviving brain donor' you would see it has nothing to do with trading abroad but moving part of a much loved British company to Poland losing 700 British jobs to the Polish, these people have already taken lots of our jobs in this country driving down the wage of the average worker in the process to the benefit of big business and big business only. Bus drivers in Poland earn £1.50ph so just imagine what factory workers earn, Cadburys will do very well out of this move and yes I will boycott them as I have something called loyalty to my fellow Brits, something traitors would struggle to comprehend.

Also Mr Mod, I never said I would boycott Sainsburys, I said if a Muslim member of staff refused to handle a bottle of wine while they are scanning my goods I would walk out and take my custom elsewhere. I will add that I would return to the store as usual the next day, the management will soon get the message and put the feelings of their paying customers first.

IceDragon · 03-10-2007, 06:59 PM

In this world you get what you pay for. As with the lead based children's toys in China where the average annual wage won't buy you a half decent night out. Cadbury's chocolate probably won't need to be boycotted with low wage labour it will have low wage quality. As with the salmonella scare of not long ago they already seem to be reducing their quality control and standards.

John Carter · 03-10-2007, 07:00 PM

I'm shortly going to boycott Cadbury's anyways. I'm way too fat and chocolate ain't doing anything to help.

WestBromBlogger · 03-10-2007, 07:16 PM

Why is this in the immigration section? Emmigration surely! Anyway you can't blame Cadbury's really they just wan't to make a decent profit. Blame Gordon and his high taxes. HP sauce wen't from Brum recently as well. Buisnesses will continue to move where taxes are cheaper. As we can't compete on low wages, we must compete on tax.

Tara · 03-10-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carter

I'm shortly going to boycott Cadbury's anyways. I'm way too fat and chocolate ain't doing anything to help.

I never had you down as a fatty boom boom

I know what you mean though, I've been eating lots of fattening breads smothered with pate, don't know if I could give up chocolate though, I'll swap the the soon to become cheap Polski Cadburys rubbish for some of that fabulous Belgian and Swiss stuff - now that is proper chocolate!

rjt · 03-10-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tara

How very pro European - I think you're on the wrong forum. If you had bothered to read the article 'Mr worlds first surviving brain donor' you would see it has nothing to do with trading abroad but moving part of a much loved British company to Poland losing 700 British jobs to the Polish, these people have already taken lots of our jobs in this country driving down the wage of the average worker in the process to the benefit of big business and big business only. Bus drivers in Poland earn £1.50ph so just imagine what factory workers earn, Cadburys will do very well out of this move and yes I will boycott them as I have something called loyalty to my fellow Brits, something traitors would struggle to comprehend.

Also Mr Mod, I never said I would boycott Sainsburys, I said if a Muslim member of staff refused to handle a bottle of wine while they are scanning my goods I would walk out and take my custom elsewhere. I will add that I would return to the store as usual the next day, the management will soon get the message and put the feelings of their paying customers first.

This has nothing to do with imigration and everything to do with the free market. Again too quick to play the race card oh light of my darkness.

I think your stance regarding Sainsburys would be totally understandble, if people have an objection to serving Alchoal they shoul seek employment where they dont have to, the situation is riddiclous, it would be like me working as a receptionist at an abortion clinic when I beleive abortion is wrong and then refusing to confirm someones appointment on moral grounds! However as usual your desperation to play the race card means your anger is mispalced, it is British people allowing Muslims to do this that is the real problem not the Muslims themselves who would then have the choice to conform or seek alternate employment.

03-10-2007, 05:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
C_steam Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Anwhere far away from the cabalistas Posts: 7,455	will cadbury's 'bourneville' chocolate (and drinking chocolate) be renamed? To, say, cadbury's Krakow? __________________ -------------------------------------------------- Users on ignore list: None. I've got to have people to laugh at. Cowardly Posters* list: BobFM, Bellatrix.*People who post personal insults then refuse to reply .

03-10-2007, 06:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
IceDragon Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,048	In this world you get what you pay for. As with the lead based children's toys in China where the average annual wage won't buy you a half decent night out. Cadbury's chocolate probably won't need to be boycotted with low wage labour it will have low wage quality. As with the salmonella scare of not long ago they already seem to be reducing their quality control and standards. Last edited by IceDragon; 03-10-2007 at 07:01 PM.

03-10-2007, 07:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
WestBromBlogger Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: www.westbromblog.blogspot.com Posts: 45	Why is this in the immigration section? Emmigration surely! Anyway you can't blame Cadbury's really they just wan't to make a decent profit. Blame Gordon and his high taxes. HP sauce wen't from Brum recently as well. Buisnesses will continue to move where taxes are cheaper. As we can't compete on low wages, we must compete on tax. __________________ Visit West Brom Blog - West Brom Blog

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-10-2007, 05:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tom Wilde Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London. Posts: 2,757	So you'll boycott Cadbury's... Sainsbury's (see other thread)... I wonder how many others, when you discover that they trade with 'abroad'? Forgive me for saying so, but it like you just aren't very comfortable with the interconnected nature of the modern world.

03-10-2007, 07:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
John Carter Uber Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Sabbatical Posts: 5,110	I'm shortly going to boycott Cadbury's anyways. I'm way too fat and chocolate ain't doing anything to help.