On 15 May 2024, the historic lager brand said it was planning to transfer operations from its distribution depot in Newbridge, where it has operated since 2020, to another facility in Cambuslang on the outskirts of Glasgow in order to service its customers more effectively.
A spokesperson for C&C Group, the parent company of Tennent’s, said that “the majority of colleagues impacted by this proposal are being offered alternative employment” and that a consultation process was now underway as the firm looks to “provide all necessary support and minimise any job losses”.
“This proposal to transfer our distribution operation from Newbridge to Cambuslang is expected to conclude by the end of June 2024, with no anticipated impact on customer service,” added the spokesperson.
Tennent’s confirmed that 42 jobs are being made available at the Cambuslang facility, while according to Unite the union 96 people are employed at the depot in Edinburgh. The trade union has criticised the decision both for the likely job losses involved and because of the 40 miles in distance between the two sites.
As a result, general secretary Sharon Graham said that Unite was prepared to “pursue every avenue to stop the proposed closure of the Newbridge facility”.
“Tennent’s which is Scotland’s largest beer company is a subsidiary of the very profitable C&C Group PLC,” continued Graham.
“This is an extremely premature decision. We will leave no stone unturned in an effort to keep jobs at Newbridge.”
Meanwhile, Pat Egan, Unite industrial officer: added: “This is devastating news for the workforce at Tennent’s Newbridge. The company promised that having a facility in Edinburgh was only the start of its expansion. The site has only been operating for a few years and it’s a cruel blow that 96 workers are facing redundancy. Unite is demanding urgent meetings with Tennent’s so that we can develop a strategy to save the plant.”
In other news, PepsiCo has announced an £8m investment into its Pipers Crisps manufacturing site in Lincolnshire.