Gillette to transfer some operations to Eastern Europe

Gillette is planning to transfer 415 jobs at its manufacturing and warehousing operations from Britain to Eastern Europe where labour is cheaper.

The move is part of a general restructuring of the group's European razor operations. The US company said it would close the packaging and distribution center in Hertfordshire in two years and a manufacturing plant in Middlesex in 2007.

The world's biggest producer of razor blades is to also transfer production of its Sensor range from Berlin and the manufacturing of stainless steel double-edge and some disposable razors from its manufacturing center in the Czech Republic.

The company has not yet decided where in eastern Europe to place its new factory but some of the work is likely to be carried out at its plant in St Petersburg.

Boston based Gillette is parent company to Braun Ireland/Oral B Ireland and employs about 800 people in Carlow.