he Cadbury chocolate factory in Dunedin is to close with the loss of up to 400 jobs.

The service and food workers union, E tū, says the announcement by factory owner Mondelēz International this morning that it would end its manufacturing operations at the factory in 2018 came 'out of the blue.”

'It's devastating news for the workers at Cadbury and for the local Dunedin economy,” says industry coordinator food, Chas Muir.

'Cadbury is the city's fourth biggest employer and many workers have been with the company for years. The shock waves will roll through the entire Dunedin community.”

The factory employs just under 300 permanent staff and about 100 seasonal workers.

Chas says there will be consultation over the closure 'but the company says the factory will definitely close from March next year.”

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says he is working with local agencies to support workers affected by today's announcement.

'I have already spoken with local agencies including the Otago/Southland Employers Association, the Otago Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Dunedin and the Ministry of Social Development, as well as Mondelēz, to ensure the affected workers are assisted with support they need. They are all very keen to be part of a city wide effort.

'My message to those workers is that you are not in this alone. The city will pull together to support you, your families and the wider community.

Mr Cull says Mondelēz International had made it clear to him this morning that there was nothing more the Dunedin City Council or the city could have done to influence its decision.

'Mondelēz recognised that its Dunedin employees are dedicated and outstanding workers. Unfortunately, Cadbury's Dunedin factory is a long distance from its main markets which is making it an increasingly expensive place to manufacture its products.”

Mr Cull says that while the proposal to cease factory operations are a major blow, he is heartened that Mondelēz International still intends to invest in and develop Cadbury World.

'Cadbury World is one of Dunedin's most popular tourist attractions and the retention, and reinvestment, in this facility is very much welcomed. This will also help to ensure a lasting legacy of the heritage value of Cadbury to the city,” he says.

he Cadbury chocolate factory in Dunedin is to close with the loss of up to 400 jobs.

The service and food workers union, E tū, says the announcement by factory owner Mondelēz International this morning that it would end its manufacturing operations at the factory in 2018 came 'out of the blue.”

'It's devastating news for the workers at Cadbury and for the local Dunedin economy,” says industry coordinator food, Chas Muir.

'Cadbury is the city's fourth biggest employer and many workers have been with the company for years. The shock waves will roll through the entire Dunedin community.”

The factory employs just under 300 permanent staff and about 100 seasonal workers.

Chas says there will be consultation over the closure 'but the company says the factory will definitely close from March next year.”

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says he is working with local agencies to support workers affected by today's announcement.

'I have already spoken with local agencies including the Otago/Southland Employers Association, the Otago Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Dunedin and the Ministry of Social Development, as well as Mondelēz, to ensure the affected workers are assisted with support they need. They are all very keen to be part of a city wide effort.

'My message to those workers is that you are not in this alone. The city will pull together to support you, your families and the wider community.

Mr Cull says Mondelēz International had made it clear to him this morning that there was nothing more the Dunedin City Council or the city could have done to influence its decision.

'Mondelēz recognised that its Dunedin employees are dedicated and outstanding workers. Unfortunately, Cadbury's Dunedin factory is a long distance from its main markets which is making it an increasingly expensive place to manufacture its products.”

Mr Cull says that while the proposal to cease factory operations are a major blow, he is heartened that Mondelēz International still intends to invest in and develop Cadbury World.

'Cadbury World is one of Dunedin's most popular tourist attractions and the retention, and reinvestment, in this facility is very much welcomed. This will also help to ensure a lasting legacy of the heritage value of Cadbury to the city,” he says.