Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has started a 30-day consultation that could lead to almost 150 job cuts and the closure of three former Christian Salvesen depots. The affected sites are at Fareham, Hants Bovey Tracey, Devon and Pontypool, Gwent.
A spokesman for the French logistics firm, which acquired Christian Salvesen last year, says that the proposed depot closures are due to a need to streamline its network in the
face of the current economic downturn.
However, MT understands that the Fareham depot was loss-making, although ND declined to comment.
One depot driver, who asked to remain anonymous, says the threat of redundancies has left the workforce devastated. He says that a colleague has now approached local Lib-Dem MP Chris Huhne asking how "a French company can come in and close down three depots within three months".
ND has appointed François Bertreau as CEO after the sudden axing of long-serving incumbent, Jean-Claude Michel. ND says that the change is necessary to cope with the growth caused by the acquisition of Christian Salvesen.
ND has lost more than 20% of its share value since January this year.
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