'It's a joke': Anger and sadness over uncertainty at Tulip plant future
People have expressed their sadness after it was announced that Black Country pork processing firm Tulip Ltd faces an uncertain future.
More than 640 jobs are at risk of redundancy at their pork manufacturing site in George Henry Road, Great Bridge, near Tipton.
Tulip Ltd has opened a consultation over the future of the site.
The site requires “significant investment and redevelopment”, it said.
MP Shaun Bailey says he is planning talks with the firm's bosses over his concerns at the plans, while staffhave also expressed their shock at the news.
Readers have taken to the Express & Star's social media channels to express their concerns and sadness after the news was announced on Wednesday.
Some blamed the company's news on Brexit.
One worker, Liam Macie, who commented on Facebook, said: "It's a joke. I've been here five years now.
"Two years into my mortgage and they do this.
"They have run the place into the ground and the only people that have suffered there is us butchers.
"We've been averaging 26 hours a week, now they are doing this. Cheers Tulip."
Sameen Farouk said: "I'm really sorry for the people facing losing their job. It's not fair on them."
And Steve Poole added: "They're playing with people's lives."
Horace Levy recalled: "Very nice place to work when Wincanton was running the transport."
While Jas Johal believed it wasn't to do with Brexit so much, saying: "Its nothing to do with Brexit directly. The site is behind the times and needs more investment. Now that could come from anywhere – it's just another large UK-based employer struggling to make ends meat.
"If anything, it's investment from Europe in competing firms which has made this one fall behind for meeting production targets and being competitive."
A Tulip spokesman told the Express & Star: "Tulip Ltd has announced it will be entering into collective consultation with employee representatives over the future of its fresh pork manufacturing site in Tipton.
“As part of its on-going operational footprint optimisation review and business recovery plan, the business has proposed to transfer operations from the West Midlands site to alternative sites within its UK network.
"This will place 642 roles at Tipton at risk of redundancy.
“[It] has a long history and is well established in the local area with many long-serving employees. However, the site itself requires significant investment and redevelopment to cater for future requirements, while its location places severe restrictions on any further development.
“The business is keen to retain the experience and skills of the Tipton team where possible.
“Transfer opportunities to alternative Tulip sites will be explored thoroughly if the closure is confirmed and employees will be presented with a number of options as part of the consultation process.”
