BRUNNER Mond is to axe 125 jobs from its Northwich sites. (From Warrington Guardian)

BRUNNER Mond is to axe 125 jobs from its Northwich sites.

In a shock statement released to the Guardian last night, Tuesday, the company confirmed it needs to slash costs by over £5 million before the year 2000.

The cuts will be made across the board, from factory floor to the laboratories and boardroom.

The firm's Human Resources Director Mark Chitty said: "The company's chemical business is facing serious competitive pressures.

"This is part of a process which began two weeks ago with the restructuring of our most senior level.

"We are now looking to change the structure below that, to make us the most efficient workforce that we can be."

The firm is blaming the pressures on a world-wide slump in the chemical industry. The planned 125 redundancies include 15 jobs which were axed at the end of last year.

Mr Chitty said that the firm had consulted with union chiefs throughout the process, and that it will be setting up advice groups for those made redundant.

"Clearly those leaving the company will require some guidance in finding secure employment elsewhere," he said.

The shake up also means that the firm's planned pay increase and performance-related bonus scheme are being shelved.

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