Site closure will put 150 jobs in danger
Corby Eddie Stobbart Eismann Road depot closing: 16/01/12
Haulage giant Eddie Stobart has announced plans to close its Corby depot, putting 150 jobs at risk.
The chilled depot in Eismann Way is one of two the firm is planning to close, along with Alcester in Warwickshire.
The company is creating about 100 jobs at a new chilled warehouse, but this is at Magna Park in Lutterworth, nearly 40 miles from the current site.
A driver at the Corby depot, who asked not to be named, said: “It was out of the blue. What we believe is happening is the depot at Corby and one in Birmingham will be going because they have built a ‘super-depot’ at Magna Park.
“They do a lot on the railways now too, and the trains they use probably take 50 lorries off the road.
“It is just a shame. There are guys there who are 60 and are going to struggle to get work.”
The driver, who has worked for the company for five years, said he wouldn’t be able to relocate.
He said: “I start at 2am so it would mean doing 15-hour days.”
A Stobart Group spokesman said: “To meet demands of the current business environment, Eddie Stobart is announcing changes as part of continuing re-alignment and the best possible allocation of resources to support its transport division network nationally.
“As part of these changes, regrettably, it is proposed that the division’s chilled depot Corby is to close, subject to consultation.
“The company is however also investing in a new chilled warehouse at Magna Park creating a significant number of new jobs in the transport division.
“The company proposes these changes to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact of the movement of empty trucks, and ultimately deliver a continually more cost-effective service.”
Corby Council deputy leader Mark Pengelly said: “The council will do all it can to work with those people losing their jobs, and we will continue to try and get this kind of work into the town.”
Corby Enterprise Centre manager Stuart Hartley said: “It is disappointing to hear there are further job losses in Corby. The town has received some positive developments recently but also some disappointing news.
“I am happy to support any employee who may wish to look at starting their own business.”
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Comments
There are 9 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Zed4
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 04:38 PMThe Eddie Stobart Group are obviously not struggling financially as they signed an agreement only two days ago to sponsor the RFL Super League for the next 3 years which is going to be worth £2.5m a year.
whisky777
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 10:23 AMThis is normal for Stobbart .They have done this all over the country.They buy a company or open a new depot and without warning or a care for there staff close it up.No supprise.
DD1977
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 05:20 PMStobart Group Ltd is a thriving Business which is a FTSE 250 Company with turnover of around £500m and profits of well over £30m per year. Brothers-in-law Robert Stobart & Andrew Tinkler own around 13% of the company between them (the sole remaining "stobarts"), and the rest is made up of investment companies & stakeholders. Its a very naive view to think that closing 2 sites to amalgamate them into 1 state of the art site directly off Junction 20 of the M1, is anything other than significant investment and a huge step forward for the business. Yes it leaves some local people out of work, but unfortunately labour is replaceable at whatever level you work at, and this is a move in the best interests and long term growth plans of one of the countries biggest companys
Zed4
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 02:54 PM@Grumpy old git - I suggest that you do your research. When Eddie died of a heart attack he was seriously in debt to the tune of £220,000 and had filed for bankruptcy! As I said in my earlier post he had handed over the business to his brother, William back in 2004.
enemde
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 08:10 PMyet another kick in the teeth for corby.
LabourOut
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 06:25 PMDear Mr Grumpy, the press release says "continuing re-alignment and the best possible allocation of resources" it doesn't say anything about the company being at risk. These things happen from time to time. What you've really got to ask yourself is where are all the skilled jobs in Corby. Warehousing-Distribution jobs like this are easily moved.
Grumpy old git
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 04:54 PMHe may have done. But just because he handed it over doesn't mean he had nothing to do with it. It just seems strange that it was a multi million pound company and as soon as Eddie died , it went downhill. That tells me something.:)
Zed4
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 03:40 PMI think you will find that the founder, Eddie, handed over the company to his brother nearly 10 years ago so Eddie's death will have had no impact on the closure of the Corby depot!
Grumpy old git
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 03:26 PMAs soon as the Legend died, i knew this was going to happen.
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