Unilever is pushing ahead with a major shake-up of its UK operations, with 500 jobs facing the axe as a result.

As well as the UK job losses, first signalled earlier this summer, several major facilities will close and a number of support roles will relocate to India.

The fmcg giant said the plans – which include a £40m investment in new manufacturing and IT hub at the company’s historic home, Port Sunlight, in Wirral – signalled its long-term commitment to the UK. But an estimated 300 contractor and third-party jobs will also go.

Following a three-month review, around 150 new jobs will be created at the new high-tech manufacturing facility in the North West, Unilever said.

Brands brought into the Unilever portfolio as a result of its recent acquisitions of Sara Lee’s personal care business and Alberto Culver will be transferred to Port Sunlight.

A new IT expertise centre will be set up at Lever House, allowing the company to “respond more quickly to market developments and improve how it serves customers and consumers”.

But the former Alberto Culver manufacturing site in Swansea and the former Sara Lee personal care site in Slough will close by the end of next year.

Unilever’s distribution centre in Bridgend, which services its Swansea factory, will also close, with company using a new third-party facility in Deeside, North Wales, serving as the distribution centre for Port Sunlight. Fifty jobs would be created as a result.

Unilever said its IT centre at St David’s Park, Ewloe, would close in 2014, with around 400 “high-capability” roles relocating to Port Sunlight. A number of other roles will move to Unilever’s IT centre in Bangalore.

“Following an extensive review, we have decided to move forward with proposals outlined in June,“ said Unilever UK & Ireland chairman Amanda Sourry.

“The investment into Port Sunlight will play a significant role in helping to maintaining and sustain our current success and competitiveness both in the UK and on a global scale.

“We understand many of our employees will be anxious at this time. That’s why we are today pledging a good package of support for employees who are adversely affected.

“We will consult fully on these measures and are committed to conducting a sensitive and thorough consultation, helping our employees to understand their options for the future.”

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