HP goes Dutch

Production of the iconic British brand HP Sauce is to be moved abroad after its new owner today revealed plans to close an historic factory.

Heinz said the HP Foods plant at Aston, Birmingham, is likely to shut by March next year with the loss of around 125 jobs.

The food giant, which bought the HP business from Danone last year, said the Aston plant normally operated three days a week and that spare capacity was available at its European manufacturing site in Holland.

As a result of the planned closure, the bottling operation for Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce will be returned to its site in Worcester.

The Aston plant has housed a manufacturing facility since 1875.

The moves were attacked by the Transport and General Workers’ Union, which said it had been previously told there would be no shift in production.

T&G food industry leader John Jordan said: “The workers at HP Sauce in Birmingham are very bitter at this decision by Heinz.

“We are demanding a meeting with Heinz directors tomorrow to get a full explanation for why the company has broken its word to a loyal workforce.”