pladis plans to shut biscuit factory in Tollcross, Glasgow

British snack foods maker pladis is planning to shut its biscuit factory in Tollcross, Glasgow, putting 468 jobs at risk.

The company said that the move aims to address excess capacity across its UK sites.

However, it also stated that the closure of the facility will be initiated after a ‘full and meaningful’ consultation with employees.

The company said that the production at the Tollcross site, which has been operating in Glasgow for almost a century, will cease in the second half of next year.

Existing production activities at Tollcross facility will be moved to other pladis sites within the UK.

pladis UK and Ireland managing director David Murray said: “We know this news will be difficult for our colleagues at Tollcross. Our priority now is to provide them with the support they need during the consultation process

“pladis is home to some of Britain’s best-loved brands, which have been part of the fabric of our society for nearly two hundred years. In order to protect them for generations to come, we must take steps to address excess capacity in the UK.

“This overcapacity limits our ability to make the right investments in future capabilities to meet the very big changes in our industry.”

Trade unions have denounced the move, calling it shameful.

GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith said: “Staff have worked through the Covid pandemic because management insists they are key workers, helping this business increase its lockdown sales into billions of pounds, but instead of reinvesting some of that money back into the Tollcross plant, management is rewarding them with the closure of their site within a year.”