Genius Foods confirms factory closure: 68 jobs lost

The factory closure will come after some of its customers began offering an own-label product, Genius said. Continuing production at the Hull site would therefore be “unviable”, it added.

Genius chief executive Jeremy Bradley said: “We fully understand the shock and disappointment of this announcement for all of our employees. It has been necessary to respond to the change in activity at Hull, and the priority of the entire Genius team is to do everything possible in the coming weeks and months to support the hard working and dedicated employees at the site.

“We have put in place a comprehensive package of practical support and advice to help secure alternative employment opportunities as quickly as possible.”

27 roles created

Production will take place exclusively in Bathgate, West Lothian, the manufacturer confirmed. Twenty seven roles would be created in Bathgate to manage to increased production load.

The factory closure came four months after news emerged of plans to end production at the site. In April, the manufacturer announced it would cut 115 jobs across its entire business, including a reported 78 jobs at its Hull factory.

Genius reportedly told staff on April 3 that more than half of workers were facing redundancy. A formal employee consultation was launched, and staff were asked to come forward for voluntary redundancy before compulsory redundancies were made. Genius also said there were opportunities for staff to find positions elsewhere within the company.

‘We need to simplify’

At the time, Bradley said: “In order to support our market leading position, we need to simplify and focus on developing and investing in a strong Genius brand. As a result, the company will end production of its non-Genius branded business by the end of the year.”

Genius was founded in 2009 by Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne. Within four years, it acquired United Central Bakeries’ Bathgate and Hull facilities.

Genius supplies retailers Sainsbury, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, The Co-Op and Ocado. It also supplies retailers in the Republic of Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Australia.