Up to 800 jobs at risk at Nisbets as equipment supplier streamlines for post-Covid market

Up to 800 jobs are at risk after catering equipment supplier Nisbets announced it would commence a restructuring process as it looks to reduce costs following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bristol-based Nisbets has said that "difficult decisions" have been required in "unimaginable circumstances", adding that it would develop a new operating model to ensure it is in a good position to meet the changing needs of operators, including the renewed focus on takeaway and delivery.

Ongoing success will be dependent on a streamlined trading model that anticipates lower demand while continuing to develop and launch new products rapidly, the business has said.

Peter Sephton, senior board director, explained: "Nisbets is a strong business but we are sadly not immune to the extreme difficulties that are facing the whole of the hospitality industry right now.

"In the face of reduced demand and historically challenging trading conditions, we are undertaking a new restructuring process. Sadly, we have begun a 45-day consultation period with colleagues across the whole business on potential redundancies and anticipate up to 800 job losses.

"These are difficult decisions being taken in unimaginable circumstances, but our priority during this process will be to treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect. Throughout the consultation, our aim is to safeguard as many jobs as possible."

He added: "Even in this difficult environment, many of our customers are reinventing themselves and changing their proposition. As we go into the most difficult period the business has faced, meeting these new needs now and in the future by launching new products will be the key to our success, and I'm confident this new, streamlined operating model will help us to do that."

Nisbets has said redundancies will come from all levels of the business and the final number will be determined through the consultation period.

The company appointed Robin White as managing director for UK and Ireland earlier this year. Klaus Goeldenbot, Nisbet's group CEO left the company in May this year after two and a half years, following a move by the company to streamline its management structure