200 workers at the JCB World Logistics site in Stoke-on-Trent were left with an uncertain future this week after being informed that the current warehouse would close at the start of 2025.
A bigger JCB warehouse will open at the East Midlands Gateway Logistics Park, which is near the East Midlands Airport – 49 miles away from the current location.
The 200 workers have been told that they could keep their current jobs following the move as long as they’re willing to commute to the new location. While the new warehouse won’t be open until 2025, workers will need to decide before the end of the year.
The current site has only been used by the company for a decade. In response to the news, one worker was quoted saying “We’ve all lost our jobs. Everyone is gutted”.
JCB’s global lead logistics provider is the Danish company Maersk while its UK supply chain partner is Unipart Logistics.
Unipart expressed in a briefing note that “…the World Logistics site has been at full capacity for some time and a decision has been taken that the site is no longer fit for purpose for JCB’s long-term business strategy.”
Maersk plans to keep an office open in the Stoke-on-Trent area, which could save at least some office workers from having to commute to Derbyshire. However, this news does not provide any consolation for the shop-floor workers.
Experienced writer and journalist James McKean leads the daily editorial output at StaffsLive. To contact him, email news@staffslive.co.uk
