Kraft U-turn sparks job losses

Employees at Cadbury’s Somerdale factory in Bristol have reacted angrily to the news that new owners Kraft have decided to go ahead with its closure.

Kraft had previously indicated that the factory in Keynsham, near Bristol, would remain open, following the takeover.  However, the US-based firm has performed a U-turn after talks with Cadbury executives.

The manufacturing facility is due to be closed by 2011, resulting in the loss of an estimated 400 jobs. Production is expected to shift to Poland, where Cadbury’s has invested more than £100 million in new manufacturing plants.

Kraft Foods chief executive Irene Rosenfeld said: "In our recent talks with Cadbury senior management, it became clear that it is unrealistic to reverse the closure programme, despite our original intent to do so. While this is a difficult decision, we have moved quickly to end any further uncertainty.”

Manufacturing union Unite has pledged its full support to staff affected.  It accused Kraft of deliberately misleading many hundreds of "decent men and women" in Keynsham by saying it would keep Somerdale open.

Its spokesman, Jennie Formby, added that Kraft’s “dishonesty” would cause problems for staff employed in other Cadbury’s manufacturing plants across the UK.

Members of the public have already been expressing their views on forums and messageboards. A website, Save our Somerdale, has been set up, along with the Facebook group “Save Cadbury’s at Keynsham” which calls for members to boycott all Cadburys and Kraft products.

Kraft has yet to confirm future plans for other UK sites.