Jobs are at risk at a major food and drink manufacturer in Cardiff, just months after a £60m investment. The huge investment in Princes factory in Cardiff was completed in December 2022, doubling production capacity and creating 130 new jobs. Princes in Cardiff is one of the largest employers in the area with more than 260 employees.
Of the £60m investment by Princes, £3m was contributed by the Welsh Government. However, the company - best known as a soft drink producer - has confirmed they are reviewing their operating strategy and have entered into "collective consultation" with colleagues at their Cardiff and Bradford sites.
Princes who manufacture Princes, Jucee and customer own label products have been asked how many staff are impacted by these changes but have not disclosed this information.
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In December, the completion of the £60m investment doubled overall production capacity at the Cardiff site at the Portmanmoor Road site and enabled the Liverpool-headquartered company to install seven new soft drinks production lines as well as upgrade and refurbish two existing lines.
When the investment was completed, Lesley Griffiths Welsh Government minister for rural affairs said: "I am very pleased to have officially opened Princes' expanded drinks facility following substantial investment which included £3m of Welsh Government support. We have a vision here in Wales to see our food and drink manufacturing sector turnover grow to at least £8.5bn by 2025, and developments such as this in Cardiff will be important in helping us realise the aim."
Announcing the redundancies, a Princes spokesperson said: “In the normal course of business, we continuously review our operating strategy to ensure we can continue to operate successfully in the current and future environment. Princes has entered into collective consultation with affected colleagues at our Cardiff and Bradford sites, while a change in shift patterns is being explored at our Wisbech facility. Discussions are ongoing and we cannot confirm any further details at this stage.”
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