Tata Chemicals Europe (Tata Chemicals Europe ) confirms that following the decision by the company in December, production at its Winnington soda ash factory ceased on Monday, February 3, 2014. This is to secure the future success of Tata Chemicals Europe 's remaining soda ash and sodium bicarbonate manufacturing business in Northwich, with production of sodium bicarbonate continuing at the Winnington site.
Yesterday was a difficult and sad day for many employees, particularly those who have spent significant parts of their career working at the factory, which will now be safely decommissioned by the company's shift teams and maintenance personnel.
As part of this process, around 220 roles are being reduced by the company, the vast majority of which are being achieved by voluntary redundancy and redeployment elsewhere within Tata Chemicals Europe , with fewer than 35 compulsory redundancies.
After a positive and constructive consultation process with unions GMB and Unite, the company has been able to put in place enhanced redundancy terms and an extensive and comprehensive package of outplacement support to help employees who are leaving the business.
Editors’ notes
- Tata Chemicals Europe (Tata Chemicals Europe ) is the UK's sole manufacturer and supplier of soda ash and sodium bicarbonate.
- Tata Chemicals Europe operates from three sites in Cheshire: Winnington (Northwich), Lostock (Northwich) and Middlewich.
- FFormerly known as Brunner Mond and Company, it was originally founded in 1873 and was a major constituent of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) when it formed in 1926. It was divested from ICI in 1991 and was acquired by Tata Chemicals in 2006.
- Tata Chemicals Europe is wholly owned by Tata Chemicals, a global chemicals company headquartered in Mumbai, India.
- Tata Chemicals Europe is also the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of salt, operating from Middlewich, Cheshire. The salt business is not impacted by the business restructure.
For further information, please contact Stephen Bray(sbray@tatachemicals.com / 01606 724855 / 07720 497161).