TEA firm Typhoo plans to cut up to 69 jobs in a move it says is necessary to secure the future of its Wirral plant.

Typhoo says it is committed to keeping its head office and factory in Moreton, but says it needs to cut costs as it bids to move its financial performance back into the black.

The company is now proposing to cut up to 69 jobs from its 320-strong workforce. It is now consulting with workers and unions to see if the number of redundancies can be reduced.

Chief executive Keith Packer says cost-cutting measures are necessary to help secure the company ’s long-term future. Typhoo, bought by India’s Apeejay Surrendra Group in 2005, is still loss-making.

It reported a £4.9m pre-tax loss for the year ending March 31, an improvement on the £10.1m loss in 2008.

But Mr Packer says he is confident Typhoo will be back in the black within 18 months.

He says the company needs to keep a tight rein on its costs to help it compete against rival tea giants such as PG Tips and Tetley.

He said: “We need to create a long-term business and make the business sustainable.

“We are going through a process of looking at our labour head count. But I think most businesses are going through that.

“We remain committed to Moreton as a manufacturing site. We remain committed to running the business from this operation.

“We’re actively chasing new contracts out there. We’re trying to grow our brands and create more value around our brands.”

Typhoo imports tea from around the world to Moreton to be processed and packed. As well as battling the recession, Typhoo is having to contend with the rising cost of tea.

Typhoo owns several other brands, including Ridgways and Glengettie. The company is particularly keen to grow sales of its fruit and herbal teas, with the London Fruit & Herb brand proving popular overseas.

Mr Packer took charge of Typhoo in April after three years as sales director. Speaking to LDP Business magazine, Mr Packer said he was confident the company would be able to grow its market share at home and abroad.

One of his aims is to grow the company’s profile locally.

He said: “It’s amazing the amount of people I speak to who don’t realise we’re in Moreton.”

TO READ the full interview with Keith Packer, see LDP Business magazine, inside next Tuesday’s Liverpool Daily Post.

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