Bakkavor plans job cuts at Spalding site

Bakkavor has initiated talks with all affected staff.

In a statement, the company said: “Bakkavor Salads is entering into a 45-day consultation period with 250 employees based at one of its factories at its Spalding site to propose a reduction in roles. We believe this reorganisation is necessary to ensure our factory remains sustainable for the future. ​

“If this proposal goes ahead, we will try to relocate employees wherever possible at local sites within the Bakkavor Group.​

“​We recognise this decision represents a difficult time for all the employees involved and this proposal is no reflection on their commitment and professionalism. Until the consultation process has been completed, we are unable to comment further.”​

Blow to Lincolnshire​

Bakkavor’s announcement represents the latest blow to food and drink production in Lincolnshire this year. In April, the business closed its Freshcook meals site at Holbeach St Marks​​, which employed 680 people as of 30 December 2018. All weekly paid employees were offered the chance to work at other Bakkavor plants.

Addo Food Group announced in July that it had entered a consultation process with 400 employees over the proposed closure of its Spalding facility next year, with the aim of transferring manufacturing to its Poole and Palethorpes bakeries​​.

In addition, in February, Tulip revealed that up to 400 jobs were under threat at its factory in Boston, Lincolnshire, after the loss of a major Marks & Spencer supply contract​​.

However, earlier this month, Bakkavor announced more positive news: that it had welcomed 20 graduates and 19 apprentices to several of its sites across the UK as part of its ‘grow your own’ people strategy​​. ​It also confirmed in July that 21 apprentices had completed training at its Wigan factory, meaning the plant had delivered a total of 78 apprentices since 2014​​.

Bakkavor was founded in 1986 and has its headquarters in London. The group has 20,000 employees and operates 25 factories in the UK, five in the US and nine in China.