Logistics firm to make 100 redundancies due to C-19

THE huge Plymouth-headquartered logistic company Gregory Distribution is expected to make 100 redundancies after being hit by the coronavirus lockdown.

The company, which was founded in Devon and has its regional base at Ernesettle, said it has seen a “significant” reduction in work from the effects of lockdown on it and the economy as a whole.

It has decided to slash up to 100 jobs from a total workforce of 2,700, and has said the axe will fall across the business. It has not said how many jobs will be lost in Plymouth.

The distribution, storage and logistics company, which celebrated its centenary year in 2019, made 50 redundancies in February, before the lockdown bit, as a result of Newton-Abbot based British Ceramic Tiles going into administration.

It was named as the city’s 17th largest firm in 2019, with a turnover of £160 million.

Managing director Angela Butler said the new wave of job losses, which it hopes to keep “to a minimum”, came as a result of a “significant” reduction in its volume of work.

She said: “During this unprecedented period of lockdown the majority of the Gregory Distribution business has remained busy although there are some areas which have seen significant reductions in the volume of work.

“Thankfully the majority of the areas which have been adversely affected are expected to recover fully.

“However, some areas will remain significantly impacted throughout the lockdown and then beyond due to the impact of Covid-19 on the wider economy.

“Unfortunately, it has been necessary to review staff levels within the areas of the business that have declined as a result of difficulties faced by our customers but we have worked very hard to limit the impact on our people and we are now looking at the possibility of up to 100 redundancies spread across a number of locations.

“This has been a very difficult decision and we will endeavour to keep job losses to a minimum, reassigning people where possible and giving them every assistance to find a new job.

“We value all of our people who have been exceptionally loyal and committed. We very much regret the need for any redundancies, but this unprecedented situation has made it necessary to maintain the health of the company and to protect its remaining 2,700 employees for the future.”

Gregory Distribution started life in North Tawton, Devon, with a single Model T Ford Truck in 1919, but grew to have a fleet of more than 750 vehicles and 1,200 trailers.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic it had more than 400 customers, ranging from South West companies to large, multinational organisations, and listed many national brand names amongst its customers.

Its 36 depots across the UK include those in Cullompton, North Tawton and Plymouth, where it has regional headquarters at the giant former Toshiba factory site, transformed into the £40million Plymouth Enterprise Park.