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Cadbury to cut workforce by 15% Cadbury to cut workforce by 15%
(30 minutes later)
Confectionery and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes has announced plans to cut 15% of its staff by 2011.Confectionery and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes has announced plans to cut 15% of its staff by 2011.
The UK firm said the 7,500 jobs will go as part of a cost reduction plan that will also see about 15% of its manufacturing sites close.The UK firm said the 7,500 jobs will go as part of a cost reduction plan that will also see about 15% of its manufacturing sites close.
Cadbury, which employs 50,000 people globally, has yet to say whether any of its UK plants will be affected.Cadbury, which employs 50,000 people globally, has yet to say whether any of its UK plants will be affected.
The firm's headquarters are in London, while its main chocolate-making factory is based in Bournville, Birmingham.The firm's headquarters are in London, while its main chocolate-making factory is based in Bournville, Birmingham.
The plans represent the next step in transforming our confectionery company Cadbury chief executive Todd Stitzer See Cadbury's shares
BBC Business Editor Robert Peston said the Bournville site was likely to be largely unaffected.BBC Business Editor Robert Peston said the Bournville site was likely to be largely unaffected.
Cadbury has another chocolate plant in Keynsham near Bristol, and a cocoa processing operation in North Wales.Cadbury has another chocolate plant in Keynsham near Bristol, and a cocoa processing operation in North Wales.
It further has a milk-processing facility in Herefordshire, a sugar factory in Sheffield, and a medicinal confectionery business in Crediton, Devon.It further has a milk-processing facility in Herefordshire, a sugar factory in Sheffield, and a medicinal confectionery business in Crediton, Devon.
'Biggest and best''Biggest and best'
The reorganisation will cost Cadbury around £450m in a one-off charge.The reorganisation will cost Cadbury around £450m in a one-off charge.
Cadbury now expects to sell off its drinks divisionCadbury now expects to sell off its drinks division
Yet it said that as a result, its profit margins should increase from 10.1% to the mid-teens by 2011.Yet it said that as a result, its profit margins should increase from 10.1% to the mid-teens by 2011.
"Over the past three years, we have made great strides in improving our business performance," said Cadbury chief executive Todd Stitzer."Over the past three years, we have made great strides in improving our business performance," said Cadbury chief executive Todd Stitzer.
"The plans announced today represent the next step in transforming our confectionery company from being the biggest global confectionery company to being the biggest and the best.""The plans announced today represent the next step in transforming our confectionery company from being the biggest global confectionery company to being the biggest and the best."
Drinks unit saleDrinks unit sale
Cadbury also said it would most probably now sell off its drinks business as part of ongoing plans to split the company in two.Cadbury also said it would most probably now sell off its drinks business as part of ongoing plans to split the company in two.
The company said unnamed parties had expressed an interest in buying the Schweppes unit, which produces drinks such as Dr Pepper and 7-Up.The company said unnamed parties had expressed an interest in buying the Schweppes unit, which produces drinks such as Dr Pepper and 7-Up.
This sale could raise more than £7bn, and the interested parties are said to be US private equity groups. This sale could raise more than £7bn, and the interested parties are said to be private equity groups.
Following the expected sale, it said it would rename itself simply Cadbury. US newspapers say two private equity consortiums are looking at Schweppes, with the first comprising Bain Capital Partners, Thomas H Lee Partners and Texas Pacific Group.
The second is said to be Blackstone Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Lion Capital.
Others say Schweppes could see a third offer by a group led by Canadian drinks-maker Cott.
Following the expected sale, Cadbury said it would simply remove the Schweppes part of its name.
The firm has been under pressure after poor European sales and a costly salmonella scare in the UK - which led to a million chocolate bars being recalled - saw profits fall sharply last year.The firm has been under pressure after poor European sales and a costly salmonella scare in the UK - which led to a million chocolate bars being recalled - saw profits fall sharply last year.
Cadbury's shares were little changed at 708p in Tuesday morning trade.