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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Biscuit company to axe 660 jobs | Biscuit company to axe 660 jobs |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The second-largest biscuit supplier in the UK is to end production at one of its factories with the loss of up to 660 jobs. | The second-largest biscuit supplier in the UK is to end production at one of its factories with the loss of up to 660 jobs. |
| Burton's Foods said the proposed cuts at its site in Moreton, Wirral, followed an "extensive" review of its business operations. | Burton's Foods said the proposed cuts at its site in Moreton, Wirral, followed an "extensive" review of its business operations. |
| The company's chief executive said the job losses were "regrettable". | |
| The union Unite said the decision would "devastate" the community and would be consulting with its members. | |
| The plant, which makes Cadbury's chocolate biscuits, will continue to manufacture other products. It is propsed that 300 jobs will remain at Moreton. | |
| The decision came after a five-month review of all the company's facilities, including plants at Blackpool, Edinburgh, Moreton and Llantarnam in south Wales. | The decision came after a five-month review of all the company's facilities, including plants at Blackpool, Edinburgh, Moreton and Llantarnam in south Wales. |
| We are not just going to roll over and accept this Tony WoodleyUnite | |
| Paul Kitchener, chief executive for Burton's Foods, blamed the "highly competitive UK biscuit market" for the planned job cuts. | Paul Kitchener, chief executive for Burton's Foods, blamed the "highly competitive UK biscuit market" for the planned job cuts. |
| He said that the potential job losses did not reflect on the commitment of the workers at the Moreton plant. | He said that the potential job losses did not reflect on the commitment of the workers at the Moreton plant. |
| "However, we believe this is the best solution to embrace changes in the market and secure the long-term success of Burton's Foods and its remaining 2,400 employees," he said. | |
| It is proposed that about 300 jobs will remain at Moreton. | It is proposed that about 300 jobs will remain at Moreton. |
| Unite said the factory was the biggest employer on the Wirral after car giant Vauxhall. | |
| 'Body-blow' | |
| Joint general secretary of Unite, Tony Woodley, said: "This is a company that has received a great deal of public support, and the closure, which will devastate the community, may reflect the recent takeover by venture capitalists. | |
| "We are not going to just roll over and accept this. | |
| "We will be urgently consulting with our members about a strategy to keep the factory open, and we will meet management on Monday to hear their rationale for this body-blow to Merseyside manufacturing." | |
| The company's additional sites in Blackpool, Edinburgh, Llantarnam, its head office in St Albans and its distribution centre in Knowsley are not affected by the plans. | The company's additional sites in Blackpool, Edinburgh, Llantarnam, its head office in St Albans and its distribution centre in Knowsley are not affected by the plans. |
| Burton's Foods, which was bought by a private equity firm earlier this year, makes Wagon Wheels, Jammie Dodgers and Maryland Cookies, as well as a range of Cadbury's chocolate biscuits under licence. | Burton's Foods, which was bought by a private equity firm earlier this year, makes Wagon Wheels, Jammie Dodgers and Maryland Cookies, as well as a range of Cadbury's chocolate biscuits under licence. |