News

Almost 200 AG Barr workers face redundancy

19-Mar-2024 - Last updated on 26-Mar-2024 at 10:18 GMT

Almost 200 employees across two parts of the business are facing the prospect of redundancy. Credit: Getty / RUNSTUDIO

Nearly 200 people working for AG Barr are facing redundancy after the drinks manufacturer confirmed it was making significant changes to how its business operates.

The overhaul includes plans to close its Barr Direct store delivery service, which operates out of three sites, from June 2024. Service is due to run as normal over the next couple of weeks.

This move means that approximately 160 members of staff have entered a consultation period, although AG Barr does expect some new field roles to be created.

AG Barr came to the decision following a “full review” of its operations and instead plans to create an “enlarged and enhanced” sales team that supplies customers through the groups' “existing wholesale channels in line with our ongoing growth strategy”.

Elsewhere, the firm has proposed the full integration of the energy drink brand Boost with Barr Soft Drinks. Boost was acquired by AG Barr in 2022.

As a result, 35 Boost employees have entered a consultation period, although AG Barr said it hopes that some “colleagues may take up roles within the Barr Soft Drinks business”.

'Both proposals subject to consultation'

Explaining the decision, a spokesperson for the group said it would “reduce duplicated activities and allow the Boost and Rio brands to benefit from the breadth and scale of the larger business”.

The spokesperson also stipulated that "both proposals are subject to consultation and we intend to fully support our employees through these proposed changes”.

AG Barr owns soft drinks brands such as Irn-Bru, Rubicon and Strathmore, while has also expanded into the ready-to-drink cocktails market. Its head office is located in Cumbernauld, Scotland.

It was announced earlier this year that former Co-op boss Euan Sutherland would join AG Barr as its new chief executive from 1 May, with current chief executive Roger White set to step down from the board at the end of April. White will remain involved with the business until the end of July to aid the transition period.

In other news, Pilgrim’s Food Masters looks set to make up to 260 members of staff redundant due to the proposed closure of a manufacturing site in West London.