Kentish Express Ashford & District
Huge job cuts looming at food firm
‘The industry is likely to be materially smaller as a result of the pandemic...’ Brakes spokesman
A long-running food distributor is set to axe dozens of jobs amid a downturn in trade caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Brakes, which has two offices in Ashford, says the Covid-19 pandemic has had a “significant impact” on the industry.
Seventy staff could be made redundant at its head office on the Eureka Business Park, while the company’s second base in the town - Focus House on the Cobbs Wood estate - is earmarked for closure, causing further job losses.
Not all staff at Focus House face redundancy, but the remaining employees will have to move to head office.
In a statement, the leading food wholesaler, which has been running for more than 60 years, says staff have been made aware of the proposed job cuts.
It said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the foodservice industry with the closure of most hospitality customers, some of whom have since announced administrations or permanent site closures.
“We are expecting a lengthy recovery period, and the industry is likely to be materially smaller as a result of the pandemic.
“In order that we can continue to succeed in the future and service new and different customer needs, we have reviewed our entire business and proposed a series of changes.
“We have been speaking to colleagues about these proposed changes, which if they progress will result in a number of redundancies at our sites in Ashford, Kent and across other areas of our business.”
Brakes was first registered in 1958 as Brake Bros after three brothers - Peter, William and Frank - started the company from the back room of a pub.
In 2016, the business, which is one of the biggest UK suppliers to the catering trade, was bought by US food distributor Sysco in a £2.2 billion deal.
It employs 6,325 people across the UK and earlier this year received a multi-million pound contract from the government to deliver food boxes to vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic. In its statement, the company added: “We have now entered a period of consultation with colleagues impacted by our proposals, and until that process is concluded we cannot discuss the specifics of any proposals.
“We understand this will be a very difficult time for all colleagues impacted by our proposals.
“We are committed to discussing the changes proposed with those impacted with honesty, humility and respect and are fully committed to supporting our colleagues through this difficult and uncertain time.”