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| Hundreds of job losses as drugs firm to close Grimsby site | Hundreds of job losses as drugs firm to close Grimsby site |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of jobs will be lost when a major employer in Grimsby closes its pharmaceutical factory as part of "global transformation". | Hundreds of jobs will be lost when a major employer in Grimsby closes its pharmaceutical factory as part of "global transformation". |
| Drugs firm Novartis employs about 400 people at the site off Moody Lane in the town but it is to close by 2020. | Drugs firm Novartis employs about 400 people at the site off Moody Lane in the town but it is to close by 2020. |
| The firm says the job losses are part of a major restructuring of operations. | The firm says the job losses are part of a major restructuring of operations. |
| Cleethorpes Conservative MP Martin Vickers said the announcement was "a massive blow" which had knock-on implications for the area. | Cleethorpes Conservative MP Martin Vickers said the announcement was "a massive blow" which had knock-on implications for the area. |
| Novartis said the move was "not linked to the UK decision to leave the European Union". | Novartis said the move was "not linked to the UK decision to leave the European Union". |
| "Novartis has been a part of the Grimsby community for many years so this has been a very difficult decision," a company statement said. | "Novartis has been a part of the Grimsby community for many years so this has been a very difficult decision," a company statement said. |
| "The Grimsby site is an effective, well-running operation that is testament to the hard-working and dedicated employees." | "The Grimsby site is an effective, well-running operation that is testament to the hard-working and dedicated employees." |
| Novartis currently employs about 1,500 people in the UK. | Novartis currently employs about 1,500 people in the UK. |
| Coun Peter Wheatley, of North East Lincolnshire Council said: "This is terrible news for local people who work at the plant. | |
| "Novartis has been a part of the North East Lincolnshire economy for more than 50 years in one way or another." | |
| David Talbot, chief executive of Immingham-based Catch - an organisation that develops workers' skills and qualifications in the Humber region -, said: "I do understand that it's not linked to any of the EU discussions. | David Talbot, chief executive of Immingham-based Catch - an organisation that develops workers' skills and qualifications in the Humber region -, said: "I do understand that it's not linked to any of the EU discussions. |
| "I believe that it's just a strategic decision, but of course our thought go out to the staff, the 400 people" | "I believe that it's just a strategic decision, but of course our thought go out to the staff, the 400 people" |
| Mr Vickers said: "It's not just the loss of around 400 jobs, it's the knock-on effect for contact and supply chain and so on, so it's a massive blow." | Mr Vickers said: "It's not just the loss of around 400 jobs, it's the knock-on effect for contact and supply chain and so on, so it's a massive blow." |
| 'Committed to UK' | 'Committed to UK' |
| Haseeb Ahmad, Novartis UK country president, said: "This decision has been made alongside broader changes to our business globally, and as a result of the changes in our product portfolio which now focuses on more specialised medicines, reflective of today's changing healthcare needs. | Haseeb Ahmad, Novartis UK country president, said: "This decision has been made alongside broader changes to our business globally, and as a result of the changes in our product portfolio which now focuses on more specialised medicines, reflective of today's changing healthcare needs. |
| "Novartis remains committed to the UK and believes that the UK is a world-leader in life sciences." | "Novartis remains committed to the UK and believes that the UK is a world-leader in life sciences." |
| The firm, which has its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, said the Grimsby closure would be phased until the end of 2020 and it would be consulting affected staff. | |
| Novartis added it was hoping to "secure a future for the site and was working to identify potential partners". | Novartis added it was hoping to "secure a future for the site and was working to identify potential partners". |
| The GMB union has been approached for comment. | The GMB union has been approached for comment. |