Logistics giant Wincanton to axe 415 staff

LOGISTICS giant Wincanton is cutting around 415 jobs at Trafford Park, Manchester, it emerged today.

The company, which has recently merged with rival Culina, is also cutting 470 posts in Gloucester.

Eddie Gaudie of the GMB said: “We are consulting with Wincanton regarding the Trafford Park and Gloucester sites, but jobs are now set to be lost.

“We are opposing these closures and we want to use the consultation process to explore all reasonable alternatives.”

North West customers of Wincanton include the Co-operative Group, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Matalan and Heinz.

Wincanton said work handled by the two depots affected would be handled by Culina, and that it was working on a plan to avoid closures.

A statement said: “Wincanton is exploring alternative uses for the site and seeking opportunities with current and future customers to avoid closure.”

The news came on another gloomy day for jobs – the administrators of troubled pottery company Wedgwood made more than 360 people redundant in Staffordshire, while frozen food company Findus is cutting 420 posts in the North East.