UP to 35 jobs are set to be axed at a food and drink packaging company in Worcester – representing 40% of the current workforce.

35 workers are expected to be made redundant at Berry BPI Protec in Worcester, based at Blackpole East Industrial Estate.

A press release issued by the company on Friday, May 7 following the announcement, said: “Berry BPI has today announced the intention to reduce the workforce at its manufacturing facility in Worcester with the loss of up to 35 jobs.

“The site, which prints and converts flexible packaging for food and drink products, has experienced difficult trading conditions for some time and the proposed restructuring is designed to make the business at Worcester financially sustainable for the future.

“The company will begin redundancy consultation with employee representatives for a period of 30 days and every effort will be made to find alternative employment for those affected.”

Neil Shaw, divisional director, said: “We are disappointed that we have had to announce proposed redundancies at the Worcester site.

“Market pressures on retail packaging products mean that we need to minimise production costs and focus on protecting our business and our valued customer partnerships in future.

The company said it is looking to find alternative positions for affected employees.

Mr Shaw said:“We are committed to finding alternative jobs where possible for affected employees at Worcester within or outside of the Group should we implement these plans.”

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