Stobart sheds jobs at newly acquired Fenny Lock DC
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joanna.bourke@rbi.co.uk STOBART GROUP will shed up to 87 jobs at its Fenny Lock, Milton Keynes DC, which it took over from Tesco in December.
The logistics giant says approximately 87 of the 111 employees at the site have entered a consultation period over proposals to make their roles redundant. This is due to the strength of the Eddie Stobart network being able to absorb the Fenny Lock work.
Trade union USDAW and employees were notiied on Monday 14 February of Stobart’s intentions. Drivers and warehouse employees are among the affected staff.
Some managers, clerical staff and shunter drivers are being retained at the site. Stobart says it has been reviewing Fenny Lock operations since the end of last year, when it took over management of the site from Tesco, as well as 111 Tesco distribution workers.
A Stobart spokesman says: “As we do with any new operation, we have spent the last couple of months reviewing the operation to see how it its into the Eddie Stobart network. Hence, the decision we have come to will improve eficiencies and [create] synergies with the broader network.” In a letter sent to affected staff, Dave Pickering, Eddie Stobart MD for general distribution, says he appreciates their hard work and professionalism. The company says it hopes some will be redeployed in the business.
Tesco’s outsourcing of logistics at Fenny Lock comes on the heels of similar moves across the supermarket’s distribution network, with Stobart increasingly becoming the logistics irm of choice for the retailer.