WORKERS at Tetra Pak in Wrexham were given confirmation yesterday that production at the factory will end in April with the loss of 150 jobs.

The news was delivered to the workers by the company’s UK and Ireland managing director Rik Jacobs at a meeting at the plant on the town’s industrial estate.

Members of the workforce were then called in for one-to-one meetings with management and given details of the redundancy package, which bosses describe as “well above and beyond statutory requirements”.

Workers have known since September that the company planned to shut down production in Wrexham from this spring and they have since been involved in a 90-day consultation period which ended yesterday.

In a statement, Mr Jacobs said: “The decision to consult on Wrexham’s future was an extremely difficult one, but was necessary to ensure the continued competitiveness of our business.

“Throughout the process we have been committed to treating our affected employees with dignity and respect.

“We shall continue to do so and provide them with support in the coming months.

“During the formal collective consultation process we met frequently with the elected employee and trade union representatives.

“Jointly with them we have agreed fair and equitable severance packages for employees which are well above and beyond statutory requirements.

“We are providing some funding for retraining as well as a series of information workshops on tax and pensions. In co-ordination with the elected employee and trade union representatives we are also working with Careers Wales to provide impacted employees with outplacement support. Careers Wales is on-site talking to employees.”

Mr Jacobs added: “The decision does not alter our commitment to remain a leading employer in Wrexham. Our Wrexham site will continue to house our commercial operations for the UK & Ireland, employing about 115 people.

“Through the operation of a new finished good warehouse, we will also create 21 new jobs.

“This will better serve the UK and Irish markets and ensure we are in the right shape for future growth.”

Mike Davies, Wrexham branch chairman of the Unite union, which represents workers at Tetra Pak, said: “We are very disappointed about the decision but we have had a lot of help from the company in terms of setting up jobs fairs for us.”

Wrexham Council leader, Cllr Aled Roberts, said: “This is saddening news but not unexpected.

“We must now work with the company to ensure that it continues to have a future in Wrexham.”