Unite confronts drinks distributor Tradeteam over centre closure

Published: 11 January, 2012

Unite is pressing drinks distributor, Tradeteam for evidence to justify the "unexpected" closure announcement of its Hams Hall plant in Warwickshire.

Tradeteam is part of DHL, and employs over 2,000 people, carries 600 vehicles and has a turnover in excess of £155m.

Its customers include; Molson Coors, Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Mitchells & Butlers and JD Wetherspoon - it delivers to more than 30,000 on-trade outlets each week and makes more than 7,000 primary off-trade trips each month.

Unite, said its members at the site, near Birmingham, were "disgusted" at the closure, scheduled for April 1.

Job losses amount to 128 and include; draymen, drivers, warehouse and admin/clerical staff.

Unite regional officer, Peter Malbasa, said: 'We are entering into a period of consultation with the company and urgently asking for the business information to justify its decision.

"We will be pressing them to reconsider the closure.

"Our members have expressed their disgust, resentment and anger over the unexpected announcement to close this valuable site.

"Although it is accepted that declines in volumes have occurred, it has come as a shock for complete site closure.

" Unite accepts our members concerns and are, at present, resisting such a move to close the site.

A spokesperson for Tradeteam, said: "It is with regret that we can confirm that Tradeteam is proposing to close its warehousing and distribution operations at Hams Hall.

"Staff at Tradeteam's head office operation at Hams Hall are not affected by this issue.

"Under the proposal Tradeteam will soon commence individual and group consultations with affected staff and site representatives, and will make every effort to redeploy staff wherever possible to other areas of the business.

"We would like to thank the team at Hams Hall for their understanding at this difficult time and stress that this decision is in no way reflects on the quality of work at the site."

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