General Mills to close Jus-Rol site: 265 job losses

Factory workers have been left devastated by the planned closure of the historic Tweedmouth factory, which is one of the town’s largest employers, according to the union. 

General Mills confirmed the closure on Monday (January 18) after a three-month consultation with union officials and employee representatives at the site.

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) had staged consultation meetings in an attempt to avoid closure, according to area organiser Rab Donnelly.

‘Great sadness for workers’

“With great sadness for the workers on the site, their families and the wider community, this proved not to be possible and General Mills have announced that the closure of the Berwick factory will go ahead,” Donnelly said.

“This has been an extremely difficult process for all concerned and is devastating news for the staff.”

Jus-­Rol first produced pastry in Berwick more than 50 years ago and the facility has been operated by General Mills since 2001.

After the closure plan was announced in October, a General Mills spokeswoman said the firm needed to consolidate production to “address excess capacity” in its UK baking business.

Not ‘reflection on employees’

“This is a business decision that is in no way a reflection on the employees in Berwick who have worked really hard to support the business,” she told FoodManufcature.co.uk.

General Mills said in a statement on Monday that it would provide severance and transition benefits to all employees affected by the closure.

“The company will now begin the necessary phases to close the plant,” it said. “The closure will impact approximately 265 positions.”

The factory produces Betty Crocker mixes as well as frozen and chilled dough products.