Port Sunlight research site safe, says Unilever

Dec 10 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

THE future of the Port Sunlight Unilever plant is safe despite the announcement of job losses.

The household products’ giant last week revealed 70 jobs would be axed in Wirral as part of a 250 jobs-cut around the world.

But the company said the restructure which would secure hundreds of jobs in Port Sunlight.

The company is reshaping its global research and development structure, merging three businesses into one.

But the company says its decision to name Port Sunlight as one of its six key global research centres shows its commitment to the site.

Mike Parkington, head of laboratory at Port Sunlight, said the company would try to keep compulsory redundancies to a minimum.

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman added: “This might obviously be difficult for those involved, but consultation is taking place and it is hoped that any forced redundancies would be minimised.”