100 jobs under threat at food firm

A 100-year-old food packaging company is under threat with the jobs of up to 100 employees at stake.

Simpsons Foods, based in Urmston, Greater Manchester has entered into a period a consultation with its entire workforce.

The family-run £11m turnover company said trading conditions had been difficult over recent years and despite an injection of cash from shareholders, it had not been possible to turn the business around.

Directors and shareholders of the company are considering all possible options, a company statement said.

Those options include the closure of the company within the two to three months. Every employee was at risk of redundancy, management said.

Managing director Andrew Simpson said attempts to sell the business have so far been unsuccessful, but further attempts are being made to explore areas of the company which could be sold.

If any of the negotiations were successful it is likely that production would move to the site of any buyer.

Simpson said: “This is a very sad day for me and my family. Our business was founded 105 years ago and we have always respected the excellent contributions from colleagues past and present over the long and distinguished history of Simpson’s.

“We are working diligently to find the correct but best solution for our employees and other stakeholders within the business.”
 
Simpson’s Food was established by William Simpson in 1910. Simpsons is led by two third generation Simpsons, brothers William and Andrew.

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