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Britvic to close Chelmsford factory and put hundreds out of work Britvic to close Chelmsford factory and put hundreds out of work
(about 2 hours later)
Britvic is to close its factory in Chelmsford, the city where the company was founded in the 19th Century, as part of plans to cut hundreds of jobs.Britvic is to close its factory in Chelmsford, the city where the company was founded in the 19th Century, as part of plans to cut hundreds of jobs.
The closure of the Fruit Shoot and J20 fruit drinks plant will result in about 230 job losses.The closure of the Fruit Shoot and J20 fruit drinks plant will result in about 230 job losses.
The plans include the closure of Britvic's Pennine Spring water factory in Huddersfield with 40 job losses.The plans include the closure of Britvic's Pennine Spring water factory in Huddersfield with 40 job losses.
Britvic, the maker of Robinson's squash, is also shutting a warehouse in Belfast where 20 staff are employed.Britvic, the maker of Robinson's squash, is also shutting a warehouse in Belfast where 20 staff are employed.
The measures are part of the company's plans to merge its UK and Irish operations, which could mean a total of between 300 and 400 people losing their jobs.The measures are part of the company's plans to merge its UK and Irish operations, which could mean a total of between 300 and 400 people losing their jobs.
The soft drinks firm announced cuts totalling £30m over three years as it reported a 50% surge in pre-tax profits, to £37.5m, for the 28 weeks to mid-April.The soft drinks firm announced cuts totalling £30m over three years as it reported a 50% surge in pre-tax profits, to £37.5m, for the 28 weeks to mid-April.
'Regret' job cuts'Regret' job cuts
It said the cuts aimed to improve returns for shareholders and come ahead of a Competition Commission decision on its merger with Irn-Bru owner AG Barr, expected by July.It said the cuts aimed to improve returns for shareholders and come ahead of a Competition Commission decision on its merger with Irn-Bru owner AG Barr, expected by July.
Last year Britvic moved its headquarters from Chelmsford to Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and said remaining office staff would transfer to its new site, ending an association with the Essex city of some 150 years. Last year Britvic moved its headquarters from Chelmsford to Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and said remaining office staff would transfer to its new site, ending a 150-year association with the Essex city.
Britvic, which takes its name from its predecessor the British Vitamin Products Company, has started a consultation with staff, with the affected sites to close in the first quarter of next year.Britvic, which takes its name from its predecessor the British Vitamin Products Company, has started a consultation with staff, with the affected sites to close in the first quarter of next year.
The Chelmsford factory was built in 1954 and makes soft drinks in cans, glass and plastic bottles. Work will transfer from there to sites in the UK, Ireland and France. The Chelmsford factory was built in 1954 and makes soft drinks in cans, glass and plastic bottles. Work will transfer from there to sites in other parts of the UK, Ireland and France.
Britvic also has major operations in east London, Norwich and Leeds.Britvic also has major operations in east London, Norwich and Leeds.
The Huddersfield site and natural spring were acquired in 2004 from lemonade-maker Ben Shaw's. Water is bottled there under the Drench and Pennine Spring brands.The Huddersfield site and natural spring were acquired in 2004 from lemonade-maker Ben Shaw's. Water is bottled there under the Drench and Pennine Spring brands.
A spokeswoman said Britvic would focus on Ballygowan, its Irish water brand.A spokeswoman said Britvic would focus on Ballygowan, its Irish water brand.
Chief executive Simon Litherland said: "We regret the potential loss of jobs caused by the change and are committed to supporting affected employees.Chief executive Simon Litherland said: "We regret the potential loss of jobs caused by the change and are committed to supporting affected employees.
"I am confident that the execution of this strategy will build a more successful Britvic and lead to a much stronger financial performance.""I am confident that the execution of this strategy will build a more successful Britvic and lead to a much stronger financial performance."