Nestle closing Newcastle factory with loss of 475 jobs, as production set to go to Eastern Europe - Daily Mail

Fruit Pastilles will be made in Czech Republic and Toffee Crisp bars in Poland as Nestle closes Newcastle factory with loss of 475 jobs

• The Nestle plant in Fawdon, near Newcastle, will close by the end of 2023
• GMB union boss has condemned the decision as 'completely unacceptable'
• Nestle say it is a 'priority' to support workers and their families during 'process'

By Mark Tovey For Mailonline

Published: 19:50 GMT, 2 February 2022 | Updated: 19:51 GMT, 2 February 2022

The closure of a UK-based Nestle factory has been confirmed to staff, with familiar brands such as Fruit Pastilles, Jelly Tots and Toffee Crisp bars all slated to relocate production to Eastern European nations.  

GMB and Unite said the company had confirmed on Wednesday that the site in Fawdon, near Newcastle, would close by the end of 2023, with the loss of more than 470 jobs, with some production moved overseas.

Nestle's plans could see Fruit Pastilles and Jelly Tots being made in the Czech Republic, Toffee Crisp bars being made in Poland and mini egg versions of Nestle brands being manufacted in Bulgaria.

Ross Murdoch, GMB national officer, said: 'Closing this profit-making site and shifting production to Europe is completely unacceptable.

'This will have a devastating impact on workers and their families.

A Nestle factory in Fawdon, near Newcastle, will close by the end of 2023, bringing about the loss of 470 jobs, as some production is offshored 

Familiar brands, like Toffee Crisp and Fruit Pastilles, are slated to be produced in Eastern European nations following the closure of the UK plant

'Meanwhile transporting finished products from sites in Europe back to the UK - where they are consumed - will result in significant additional road and sea miles, increasing pollution and environmental damage.

'GMB and Unite will now speak to members in Fawdon and find out what they want to do next. We will give them whatever support and resources they need to fight this.'

Joe Clarke, national officer of Unite, said: 'Unite and its membership are bitterly disappointed that alternative proposals to keep the site within Nestle Fawdon open have been rejected.

'We are currently seeking further information in relation to the proposal, and we will enter into dialogue on next steps imminently.'

Nestle have said it 'remains a priority to support our people and their families through this process', while GMB national officer condemned the closure of the 'profit-making plant' as 'completely unacceptable'

Nestle plans could see Jelly Tots produced in the Czech Republic, where the average annual salary ($25,372 USD) is around 60 percent of the OECD average ($43,241)

Nestle said the largest slice of production will stay in the UK and move to Halifax, West Yorkshire.

A spokesman said: 'The consultation around the changes we proposed in April 2021 is still ongoing.

'We said from the outset that we wanted to provide adequate time and space for these discussions and it is only right that they are held directly with our employees and trade unions and not in public.

'It remains a priority to support our people and their families through this process and we thank everybody for their patience. We will provide an update once the consultation is complete.'

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2022-02-02 19:50:50Z
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