Quaker cuts 200 after sell-off to Spillers

Quaker Oats is cutting its European workforce, including the UK, in the aftermath of the sale of its European petfood division to Spillers (MW March 30).

At least 200 jobs will be lost as the company restructures its cereals operations around three “centres of excellence”: Cupar in Scotland; Southall in London; and Rotterdam in Holland. These centres will concentrate on Quaker’s core markets in the UK, Holland, France and Scandinavia, as well as existing export markets.

Quaker’s best-known brands are Quaker Oats, Sugar Puffs and Feast of Flakes.

It is unclear how the company’s marketing department will be affected by the move. Kevan Lawton is Quaker’s country manager in the UK, a position which combines the roles of commercial director – with responsibility for marketing and sales – with that of managing director. Marketing director Peter Farrand was appointed UK marketing director at Spillers when it bought Quaker’s petfood business.