Wirral factory closure leaves staff fearing for jobs

Aug 23 2008 by Barry Turnbull, Liverpool Daily Post

AROUND 100 Wirral workers were last night fearing for their jobs after a factory announced it is to close.

Global food testing and forensics group Eurofins announced yesterday it is shutting its Birkenhead site.

The business based at Woodside Business Park supports skilled jobs providing testing services to many major food manufacturers and retailers throughout the country.

But after months of consultation, company bosses have decided to move operations to its largest UK site in Wolverhampton.

Devastated employees were yesterday coming to terms with the loss of their jobs, although it is understood some will be offered relocation to the Midlands.

One angry worker, who asked not to be named, said: “I’m very disappointed.

“The majority of the staff will be made redundant and only a handful will relocate.

“We’ve been told the company will wind up its operations by mid September, though a handful of staff will remain employed until December to oversee the consolidation.”

It is feared it will be difficult for the highly-skilled workers to find jobs in the area. The man, who has worked for the company for six years, said only this week he was interviewed for a different lab technician job in the area and was told around 160 people had applied for the same post.

He added: “We had new

management instated over two years ago – since then there has been a process of comprehensive restructuring.

“We are a profitable office and it seems like we’re carrying the can for a poor performance nationally.”

Another worker said he felt annoyed about the way they had been treated. After working for the company for a year and half, he has been told he is not entitled to a redundancy package.

“We have no union representation in the company so there was little beyond complaining that we could do,” he said.

Ironically, the company has recently won some new work which has required extra staffing.

Wirral Council has had to admit defeat after working behind the scenes to try and prevent the closure.

Council leader Steve Foulkes said: “Council officers have worked hard to persuade Eurofins to remain in Wirral and we are very disappointed that the company has decided to consolidate their operations in Wolverhampton.

“I would like to extend my sympathies to the workforce who will be affected by this decision.

“We will now arrange, along with other public sector partners, the necessary support for those concerned.”

A spokesman for Eurofins refused to comment on the closure.

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