Multinational bottling firm Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) is planning to close two facilities in the UK, affecting around 300 jobs.

The company plans to shut down its manufacturing site in Milton Keynes and its distribution centre in Northampton in 2019.

CCEP said in a statement: "We know today's news will be upsetting for our people at these sites, and our immediate priority is to support them throughout the consultation process.

“We are proud of our longstanding links with both towns and have not made these proposals lightly.

“However, we believe the proposed changes are necessary as they would provide significant productivity improvements and create greater efficiency across our manufacturing and distribution operations in Great Britain.”

The move is expected to affect 234 jobs at Milton Keynes site and a further 54 jobs at the Northampton distribution centre.

CCEP said that the plan would provide greater efficiency. It plans to create 121 roles elsewhere by transferring production and warehousing to other GB sites.

Commissioned in 1976, the Milton Keynes plant is engaged in producing beverages including Lilt, Fanta, Dr Pepper and Relentless. It features nine manufacturing lines and has capacity to produce 60 million cases of soft drinks a annually.

Trade union Unite East Midlands regional officer Sally Mortimer was reported by BBC news as saying that the CCEP’s proposed plan was totally unexpected and the closure would be a blow to the economy in Northampton.

Recently, Coca-Cola has set a goal to collect and recycle every bottle or can it sells and also make all its packaging 100% recyclable by 2030.

 

Source: packaging-business-review.com

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