Jobs to go as Unilever shuts four plants

Unilever is pushing ahead with plans to close four plants, affecting 1,000 staff.

Three are to go in Wales, with factories at Swansea and Bridgend to shut by the end of 2013 with the loss of 250 jobs. Ewloe in Flintshire, which employs 500 staff, will close by the end of 2014. About 400 jobs will move to nearby Port Sunlight, Wirral. It will also close the former Sara Lee factory in Slough with the loss of 250 jobs.

Officials at the consumer goods giant said about 50 distribution jobs will be created on Deeside, Flintshire, while its Pot Noodle factory in Crumlin, near Blackwood, will not be affected. Affected staff were told the news by company bosses yesterday with consultations due to start with workers on Monday. The news confirms proposals that the company was planning to shut the sites.

Unilever has a total UK workforce of about 7,200 and makes products and brands ranging from Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Marmite, PG Tips and Pot Noodle to Dove soap, Vaseline, Persil and Domestos.