BELFAST-based consumer goods giant SHS Group is to end production of its popular WKD alcopop at Caledonian Bottlers in Ayrshire and move the work to a cheaper third-party provider instead.
The move will lead to the bottling operation in Cumnock closing at the end of this year after three decades and bring a number of redundancies.
SHS Group, which is also responsible for the production of the Merrydown Cider, Shloer and Bottlegreen drinks brands, said it has taken the decision due to rising price costs, with a “significant level of investment” required to continue production.
In a statement the firm said: “Earlier this year a review of infrastructure highlighted the significant level of investment required to keep the Caledonian Bottlers site fully operational. Regrettably, the cost was prohibitive.
“An organisational change consultation was subsequently undertaken to explore options to deliver long-term supply chain security.
“The consultation process has ended, and the extremely difficult decision has been made to relocate operations to a third-party provider. As a result, production at the Caledonian Bottlers site will finish at the end of the year.”
As reported in the Irish News last month SHS Group, which is the north’s largest food and household goods business (it was established in 1975 by the Salters and Sloan families) said trading had been “incredibly challenging” this year as it navigated the pandemic, the continued fall-out from Brexit, and supply chain pressures.
And although its turnover for the year dipped from £655.6 million to £641.4 million, the group was still able to increase its profits to £17.8 million.
SHS, which has 1,270 staff on its books, also owns brands such as Crucial Sauces, Zip & Sunny Jim firelighters and Maguire & Paterson matches, and it also distributes brands including Jordans, Ryvita, Pot Noodle, Finish, Mars Drinks and Colgate.
