Kerry Group has confirmed the closure of its Okehampton factory in Devon, leaving 90 workers jobs at risk.
A spokesperson for the company today (17 October) said the closure of the site is expected to be complete by March.
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Kerry indicated in June that the plant could close and started a consultation process with staff at the facility. The company said then that the Okehampton plant was was too small for future development and the Tenbury Wells facility was more suitable for expansion.
A spokesperson said today that ten employees at the factory have confirmed their intention to move to the Tenbury Wells plant. For various family and geographic reasons, it is not possible for the other 90 workers to move, he said.
However, the company is training and equipping these workers in securing new employment, the spokesperson said.
Kerry said the move to Tenbury Wells would see it invest GBP5m (US$7.9m) in the facility to upgrade it and cater for future growth. As a result, production capacity Tenbury Wells will increase by 25% and jobs will be created at the plant.
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By GlobalData“In the short to medium term, we foresee 50 new positions, with further employment opportunities as the business expands,” the spokesperson added.
