MORE than 100 people at one of Trowbridge’s leading employers have been told they could be made redundant, it has been claimed.

The Wiltshire Times has been told up to 78 production workers on a night shift at the Meiyume beauty products manufacturer have been told they will no longer be needed.

An employee, who does not wish to be named, claims a further 30 jobs are due to be axed from two other night shifts at the company’s L F Beauty (UK) Ltd factory in Aintree Avenue on the White Horse Business Park.

A spokesperson for the Chinese-owned cosmetics company insisted no-one has yet lost their jobs and that no decisions have been made as the redundancy process is ongoing.

Meiyume (UK) Ltd recently announced plans to consult up to 311 people on redundancy at its Trowbridge manufacturing plant.

The employee said: “A Meiyume shift supervisor informed 78 people an hour after the night shift had started that they no longer had a job while their manager was on his way to the airport on holiday.

“Night shift production has now stopped and a further 30 people over the two remaining shifts are to be axed as well.”

The company employs more than 730 people in the UK. It has a factory and offices in Aintree Avenue, Trowbridge.

A spokesperson for Meiyume said: “We have previously announced a potential redundancy proposal on January 27.

“Since then, we have commenced a formal collective consultation process and will continue to work closely with employees to ensure they have our full support.

“We have committed to a full and meaningful process and will ensure that all opportunities are taken to either avoid, reduce or mitigate the effects of potential redundancy.”

Meiyume makes and supplies cosmetics and toiletries, including haircare, fragrances, skincare and suncare, and other personal care products for the UK market.

Its list of customers includes some of the world’s biggest international beauty products brands, such as Burberry, Cartier, Christian Dior, Estee Lauder and Yves Saint Laurent.

It also supplies beauty products to some of the UK’s biggest retailers, such as Avon, Boots, Crabtree & Evelyn, Marks & Spencer, Superdrug, Tesco and Unilever.

In January, Meiyume said: “Meiyume (UK) Ltd has announced a potential redundancy proposal, a decision which will impact 311 employees and potentially result in up to 58 redundancies from our site located in Trowbridge.

“This proposal has followed a detailed review and analysis of our Trowbridge business. As we all know, the market has been very challenging in recent years due to a combination of factors.

“Whilst we are starting to see some positive indications for the longer term as the cost-of-living crisis continues, we have sadly seen a decline in customer demand which has significantly impacted on 2023 sales and volumes.

“As a result, we have unfortunately been unable to secure significant new business and we believe that the market is likely to remain volatile for some time.

“Meiyume will now be entering into a period of formal collective consultation with all employees affected by the proposal.

“It is regrettable that we find ourselves in this position, particularly at a time when many are experiencing financial difficulties.

“However, we are committed to carrying out a full and fair process with our employees to ensure that if a decision is made to proceed with redundancies any effects of redundancy will be mitigated.

“Where possible, we will also engage with other local businesses to attempt to secure employment for everyone.”