300 jobs to go at crisps firm

A Black Country crisp factory is closing with the loss of hundreds of jobs. Red Mill Snack Foods Ltd in Wednesbury employs 300 workers.

The Globe Street-based company produces Transformers crisps and Mr Porky pork scratchings.

In July the factory, which is owned by Tayto Group, announced a three-month review and today it was revealed all 300 jobs there will go and production is moving to a plant in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Production will continue until at least February, when there will be a phased movement of machinery and production over the next 18 months.

Managing director James McKinney said: "Our decision took into consideration the capabilities and long term opportunities offered by our sites at Wednesbury and Corby, and the investment required to bring these about. It in no way reflects the hard work and commitment of the people at both locations."

Red Mill was taken over by Tayto in March and spokeswoman Gwynneth Cockcroft said it had always been the plan to carry out a review once Tayto took over.

However, following the cancellation of a lucrative Pringles Minis contract at the sister plant in Corby the review was accelerated.