Job cuts at WaverleyTBS

Waverley TBS, one of the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesalers, will be making a number of job cuts. This comes after a general review of the company, resulting in some internal restructuring.

There had been reports that over 120 employees would be made redundant, but Lisa Harlow, PR for Waverley TBS, maintained there would be “nothing that high”.

Speaking to the drinks business, Harlow confirmed that the company will undergo “general restructuring, making the business more streamlined and more cost-effective, like all good businesses do.”

WaverleyTBS is one of the largest on-trade distributors, and employs 1500 people. Last year the total volume of on-trade sales fell 8% to 3.3 billion litres, while value fell 3% to £20.9 billion (Nielsen year to July 2008).

Waverley TBS’ cuts will apparently be “modest”. Exact figures were not given, because consultations are ongoing.

Harlow also maintained that these redundancies had “nothing” to do with Carlsberg and Heineken’s takeover last year of Scottish and Newcastle plc, of which WaverleyTBS is a subsidiary.

Job cuts at Californian winery, E. & J. Gallo, were also announced this morning. 50 people from its UK arm are being made redundant.

Dan Macadam, 23.01.09