Impact of Barr and Britvic merger on Cumbernauld jobs remains unclear

WHILE soft drinks firm AG Barr will retain its Cumbernauld headquarters following its merger with English rival Britvic, a number of job losses seem likely.

The boards of the two companies have confirmed that the new company, Barr Britvic Soft Drinks plc, will continue to use the Barr plant in Westfield Industrial Estate as its headquarters while the Britvic head office in Hemel Hempstead will serve as the combined firm’s operational headquarters.

The directors of both companies have estimated the net loss of combined group headcount at 8-12 per cent, around 500 workers, within three years. However no information is available regarding where those job cuts will be made.

Following Wednesday’s confirmation that the merger would proceed, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth MSP Jamie Hepburn told the News and Chronicle he would continue to seek clarification on this issue.