Hoover plans to cut 45 jobs at its Merthyr site
HOOVER Candy is to cut 45 jobs from its site in Merthyr Tydfil. The jobs are to be relocated to Warrington.
Hoover Candy, whose parent company is now China-based Haier Electronics, is holding an ongoing consultation with staff and staff representatives about 45 roles, which could be cut by spring 2020.
A spokesman from the company said: “Hoover Candy’s Merthyr Tydfil site continues to serve as the main operation for logistics and warehousing, with a number of other functions planned to remain based at Merthyr Tydfil, totalling more than 60 employees still working on the premises.
“Our Merthyr Tydfil warehousing operation is partway through a significant £2m future-proofing renovation and we are proud that it still remains such a key role in our company’s history and future.
“As part of the company’s wish to centralise some functions close to the commercial team and support our long-term expansion plans, some jobs may move to our new offices at Birchwood Park in Warrington over the next year.
“As a consequence of this proposed change in operations, we have begun a consultation process with those employees who are at risk of redundancy and are liaising with them and their representatives directly.”
Gerald Jones MP and Dawn Bowden AM held a meeting with Hoover Candy representatives on Friday.
The company confirmed at the meeting with Mr Jones and Ms Bowden that distribution operations will remain in Merthyr, and that it is currently investing in the site’s warehousing facilities as part of its business plan.
In a joint statement, Mr Jones and Miss Bowden said: “We met representatives of Hoover Candy Ltd at the company’s factory in Merthyr Tydfil to discuss the current consultation about job losses at the site.
“The consultation involves 45 job roles, and we are currently making arrangements to meet affected staff directly.
“We understand that consultation about redundancies is a sensitive and upsetting issue for those involved, and we hope to speak with any staff who would like to meet with us in the near future.”
Hoover Candy is also currently in contact with the Welsh Government, which will offer support and advice for staff should the redundancy plans move forward following the consultation.
Hoover Candy’s Warrington office opened in April.