Switzerland-based ingredients firm Givaudan is set to shut down its savory flavor production facility in Merseyside, UK, by the end of this year, a move which is expected to result in more than 150 job losses.
The company is shifting most of its savory flavor production from the UK and Switzerland to a new facility in Hungary in order to streamline its production in Europe and increase its capacity by approximately 50%.
The Merseyside plant manufactures two flavors for Walkers Crisps - 'Prawn Cocktail with Vale of Evesham Tomatoes and Sour Cream with Chives'.
Givaudan spokeswoman told Foodmanufacture.co.uk that in December 2010, following a three-month consultation period with staff, the company announced plans to move its savory manufacturing operations to a new plant to be established in Mako, Hungary.
Ingredients such as Vale of Evesham tomatoes will now be shipped to Givaudan's Hungary facility to be manufactured into flavors which will be then transported to Walkers' crisp plant in the UK.
Givaudan, founded in 1895, operates through a network of more than 40 subsidiaries in the emerging markets of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, North America, Latin America as well as Asia Pacific.
