Kraft Heinz is reviewing its logistics operations in the UK and could potentially lay off 12 staff at a site in north-west England as part of a global process to increase efficiencies.

The US-based owner of the Heinz Ketchup and Philadelphia cheese brands said it had conducted a review of its group logistics operations and support roles and was now considering whether to outsource certain tasks from its facility in Kitt Green, Wigan.

However, a spokesperson for the Nasdaq-listed firm told just-food that the potential 12 job cuts should be seen in the context of the Wigan plant employing around 1,000 people.
 
A statement from the spokesperson read: “Following a review of all logistics operations and support roles, we are consulting on a proposal to restructure our logistics function within the National Distribution Centre in Wigan, by outsourcing further shared service tasks, and local activities to our third-party logistics provider, Wincanton. It also includes the centralisation of import/export roles to our office in Amsterdam and could involve a total of 12 roles.

“This is designed to be in line with our strategy of increased efficiencies, while reducing duplication and optimising our cost base in an increasingly competitive market, while at the same time continuing to make significant investments to support the long-term future of the Kitt Green site.”