Job losses imminent at AGA Rangemaster in Leamington

William McGrath, chief executive of the AGA Rangemaster Group, delivers his speech during the unveiling of the company's one millionth range cooker this year. On the far left is the golden Nexus 90 and closest to Mr McGrath is a special commemorative cake made for the occasion. NNL-150528-111947001

The Union GMB has announced it is in consultation with the company, which employs between 500 and 600 people in Leamington and hundreds more in Shropshire and was sold in the summer to the Illinois-based Middleby Corporation in a multi-million pound deal.

There will also be 109 redundancies at AGA’s Long Eaton site and 19 at its Telford site.

GMB has said that AGA has told the union that the intention is to make the first redundancies by February 5.

Mohammed Khalik, GMB Regional Officer, said “AGA Rangemaster is now engaged in consultation over 188 redundancies at their three sites in the Midlands.

“This follows a review of operations after the acquisition of AGA Rangemaster by the US based Middleby Corporation.”

“This is very disappointing news especially at this time of year when people should be looking forward to a break with their families.

“GMB have met with the company to discuss the reasons for this decision.

“The priority will be to limit the number of job losses and to avoid compulsory redundancies.”

Tim Fitzgerald, vice president and chief financial officer of The Middleby Corporation, said: “These structural and commercial changes will allow AGA Rangemaster Limited to build on its existing strength and create the conditions that will enable it to flourish in the long-term.

“We regret that there must be changes to the workforce, but we are consulting with employees, trade unions and other stakeholders to minimise the impact and ensure that this difficult process is managed with sympathy.

“There are no plans to close the four manufacturing sites as part of these changes. The Middleby Corporation is committed to manufacturing the world class AGA Rangemaster brands and products in the United Kingdom as we build scale and growth in the business.”