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103 jobs at risk as KP Foods threatens closure of Consett factory

KP Snacks has announced it is considering closing its factory in Consett, County Durham in efforts to streamline its business.

The firm’s factory in Corby, Northamptonshire, is also under threat.

The company is also considering expanding operations at its site in Billingham, Teesside, and Stanley, near Consett.

A final decision is expected to be made after a 45 day consultation with any closures occuring in the first half of 2015.

The manufacturer makes a number of well-known brands, including Hula-Hoops, Skips and Phileas Fogg, as well as the original KP brand.

The factory in Consett, the original home of Phileas Fogg crisps, has 103 workers, while the Corby plant has 83.

It is not yet known how many jobs could be saved or created by the planned expanding operations at Billingham and Stanley.

The firm’s chief executive, Nick Bunker, told the BBC it was proposing the closures “in order to develop a sustainable and competitive manufacturing operation”.

“We operate in an increasingly competitive market and need to focus on our cost base in order to develop a sustainable business,” he said.

“We very much appreciate the hard work, commitment and focus on quality of our Corby and Consett colleagues during this difficult time.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .