Sunlight assurances

Dec 10 2008 by Sue McCann, Bromborough and Bebington 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 250 jobs cut around the world.

But the company said the move was part of a restructure which would ultimately secure the jobs of hundreds of scientists in Port Sunlight.

The company is merging three businesses.

The number of staff employed at Unilever’s historic Port Sunlight base will fall from 815 to 745.

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.

He said: “Although we already have a strong innovation pipeline, we are driving harder than ever to increase our competitiveness.”

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.”