Shift changes could put 50 jobs at risk at McCain's Hull factory

ALMOST half of the workforce based at food manufacturer McCain's Hull site are in danger of losing their jobs.

The McCain Prepared Foods factory employs 127 people at its west Hull factory and following proposed changes in shift patterns, up to 50 jobs could go.

Bill Bartlett, of McCain, said: "This is only a proposal at this stage but we are looking at the possibility of changing the shift patterns to improve capacity and efficiency to give long-term viable operations at the Hull site."

Mr Bartlett said that these proposed changes at the factory in Brighton Street Industrial Estate, Freightliner Road, will help the business to work against competition.

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According to the company, which employs more than 1,000 people across Yorkshire and Humberside, all current products will remain in production and output levels will initially be unchanged, although extra capacity will be created to meet future demand.

Manufacturing director of McCain Alan Bridges said the proposed production cycle would be the same.

He said: "We operate very successfully at a number of other UK sites.

"This is designed to secure the future of the Hull plant, ensuring it can play an important role in future growth.

"McCain is embarked on a period of growth and needs to do that on the foundation of maximum efficiency and cost competitiveness in its current operations."

The Hull factory deals specifically in McCain's breaded finger foods, rather than chip production, and according to the firm, the proposals are specific to the Hull site.

Mr Bridges said that management has met employees and made preparations for a period of consultation.

He said: "The exact number of job losses will become clearer once the consultation takes place over coming weeks and all options for suitable alternative employment have been fully explored.

"At that stage, we will also seek to work with everyone involved to minimise impact through initiatives, such as voluntary redundancy, retraining and career assistance."