Almost 400 jobs are under threat at a condiment and flavourings plant in Rochdale, it's been confirmed.
McCormick and Company, the US owner of Schwartz spices, has announced 'all activities' would be transferred from the company's facility on Whitelees Road in Littleborough to Peterborough over the next two years. They said the move would 'impact an overall 380 McCormick colleagues at the Littleborough site', which would ultimately close.
The news comes a day after Stockport was dealt a major jobs blow following confirmation positions are at risk at the historic McVitie's factory in Wellington Road North. Pladis, the company behind McVitie's, confirmed restructuring proposals at the plant off Wellington Road North 'could potentially result in the loss of 159 out of 470 roles'.
READ MORE: Almost 160 jobs under threat at historic McVitie's factory in Stockport
The spices and flavourings company McCormick is understood to be moving all its condiment brand production from Littleborough to its Peterborough plant, a net zero-carbon facility. They said there had been a 'detailed evaluation' and said the proposals 'come in response to fluctuating market conditions over the past two years and capacity constraints at Littleborough'.
In a statement, McCormick & Company said after a detailed evaluation, it has 'proposed to colleagues in Littleborough, Rochdale, that all activities will be transferred to its new Peterborough site over the next two years'. 'Redeployment opportunities' to the Peterborough site, the company added, would 'remain part of our ongoing assistance programme'.
"A full consultation period will begin shortly, and if the proposal moves forward, the complete transfer will impact an overall 380 McCormick colleagues at the Littleborough site. The detailed evaluation and proposal come in response to fluctuating market conditions over the past two years and capacity constraints at Littleborough," added the statement.
"McCormick is providing an extensive people care programme to its Littleborough colleagues, which includes outplacement, financial and wellbeing support as well as redeployment opportunities to the Peterborough site."
The company announced investment into its Peterborough site in February, 2020. They said that once fully operational, it would be a net zero carbon building and around 300 jobs would be created.
Ana Sanchez, President Europe, Middle East & Africa, added in the statement: "This has been a very difficult decision. We are committed to providing our Littleborough colleagues with our full support and care. McCormick remains a dedicated employer in the UK and redeployment opportunities to our Peterborough site will remain part of our ongoing assistance programme."
