Sauce firm axes 100 jobs

North Wales has been hit by more job losses, with the announcement that sauce manufacturer Meridian is switching production to England.

More than 100 jobs are due to go at the company's Corwen plant, after the firm said it would be moving its operations to Selby, north Yorkshire.

A company spokesman said the Corwen workforce would be axed from 130 to 17.

A Meridian worker at the Corwen plant

The announcement brings the job losses in the region to approximately 1,000 in the past two months.

The spokesman said the company, owned by Hazlewood Foods, had decided it was more cost-effective to transfer production to Selby.

Job transfer

North Wales AM Janet Ryder said the news was a "huge blow" to the area.

"Its workforce has now fallen prey to owners who have no real concern for the area," said Ms Ryder.

"It is all too easy for them to move production elsewhere.

"Employees at Meridian have seen this coming, but once again First Minister Rhodri Morgan, for all his three jobs, has failed to get to grips with the difficulties facing the north of Wales."

It is hoped that many staff will be able to transfer to the parent company's new chilled pizza site at Deeside.

Meridian is seeking a potential buyer for part of the Corwen site.

Consultations are underway with staff, and it is anticipated the transfer will be completed by the end of February.

Established in north Wales in 1974, Meridian produces a range of health foods and organic products.

The company's range of goods includes fruit spreads, fruit juices, pasta and pasta sauces, nut butters, dressings and oils, which the company boasts are free from artificial ingredients and preservatives.

The job losses add to the grim news for workers at companies from the Conwy Valley to Wrexham in the past few weeks.

Corning in Deeside announced 436 losses, followed by 189 at Alcoa, 124 at Trefn, 90 at Burlington Toiletries and 113 at Meridian.