Glen Dimplex warns restructuring could cost 300 Merseyside jobs
Home applicances manufacturer Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA) has announced restructuring proposals that could lead to 300 job losses
It said it needs to realign its operations to secure a future for the GDHA business.
GDHA is a privately-owned UK manufacturer made up of international cooking and refrigeration brands Stoves, Belling, New World, Lec and Britannia.
The Prescot site currently employs 1,000 permanent workers.
The proposed changes are likely to result in up to 300 potential redundancies over the course of the year, commencing from August 2018.
Consolidation of major UK retailers and among major domestic appliance manufacturers, as well as changing consumer trends, have led to a negative impact on GDHA’s financial performance, the company said
Today’s announcement is seen as necessary to ensure a viable GDHA business in the future.
The proposals under consideration include exiting loss-making segments of the market, outsourcing the manufacture of certain products, and investment in products which are more economically viable to produce in Prescot.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Andy Griffiths, chief executive, Glen Dimplex Consumer Appliances, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are today announcing this significant change to our business.
“We are incredibly proud of our people and our long-standing history of manufacturing at this site, and we know how tough this news will be on our colleagues.
“Sadly, these proposals are necessary to ensure a viable GDHA business going forward.”
Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, which has manufactured appliances for almost 40 years, said it will enter into consultation with the Unite and Community unions and will also be consulting with employee representatives over the coming months.
It added the company is offering its full support to all colleagues during this period.
