Kraft shift Cadbury operations to Birmingham - what does this mean for food jobs?
American food company Kraft have caused nothing but controversy since they entered the UK market with a hostile takeover of the iconic British brand Cadbury. It now looks as if Kraft will face a new wave of criticism in the coming months, after they revealed plans to shift their UK headquarters from Cheltenham to Birmingham.
There are two perspectives on this breaking news. On one side, business leaders in Birmingham are welcoming the plans, as they believe that being home to an internationally recognised centre for confectionary excellence such as the Cadbury headquarters will boost their local economy and create a large number of new food jobs. The CEO of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jeff Blackett, has said:
The negative side of this story, however, is that workers in Cheltenham will suffer as a result of the office closure. Insiders are predicting that around 600 food jobs will be axed in total, 450 in Cheltenham and a further 150 customer service positions in Sheffield and Banbury.
What do you think about Kraft as a company -promise breakers or good for the UK food industry? Feel free to leave your comments.
There are two perspectives on this breaking news. On one side, business leaders in Birmingham are welcoming the plans, as they believe that being home to an internationally recognised centre for confectionary excellence such as the Cadbury headquarters will boost their local economy and create a large number of new food jobs. The CEO of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jeff Blackett, has said:
"This is also good news on the jobs front with the announcement that Kraft's combined office network team will be co-located in Bourneville and Uxbridge, the site of the previous Cadbury head office."
The negative side of this story, however, is that workers in Cheltenham will suffer as a result of the office closure. Insiders are predicting that around 600 food jobs will be axed in total, 450 in Cheltenham and a further 150 customer service positions in Sheffield and Banbury.
What do you think about Kraft as a company -promise breakers or good for the UK food industry? Feel free to leave your comments.
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