ecanter hovis

More than 200 driver and warehouse jobs are under threat after Hovis’s decision to pull out of its distribution deals with logistics firms DHL Supply Chain and DSV Road, according to a union.

The decision is part of wider plans to close down Hovis's Southampton mill. The move will see the baker terminate its contract with DHL Supply Chain for the management of its warehouse and logistics operations at DHL’s Southampton and Bawtry depots as a consequence,  and with DSV Road at its depot in Belfast.

It is part of a major restructuring at the bread producing firm, which posted an £11.7m pre-tax loss in 2017.

Unite national officer for logistics and road transport, Matt Draper, said: “We are digesting what this serious news will mean for our members at these three sites in Belfast, Southampton and Yorkshire, which are separate logistics’ companies working for Hovis.

“We need to ascertain how many of our members are working on the Hovis contracts at these sites.

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“It is crucial that every effort is made to ensure the impact of possible job losses is mitigated and our hardworking members are, wherever possible, redeployed onto other contracts.”

A spokeswoman for DHL said: ““Following a strategic review of its operations, Hovis has confirmed its intention to cease operations at its Southampton Mill by the end of 2018.

“The proposal would also see the warehouse and logistics operations managed by DHL in Southampton and Bawtry cease at the end of the year.

She said workers at both sites will be able to discuss their options during the consultation period, “including redeploying to other DHL operations in the area” and added that Hovis’ decision to terminate the distribution deal “in no way reflects on the performance of the Southampton and Bawtry operations”.

DSV Road was unavailable for comment as this article was published.

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