FACTORY workers were left shocked after Boots announced that it is cutting 200 jobs.
Parent company Alliance Boots announced the news to workers yesterday at its Beeston factory.
The health and beauty retailer currently employs 1,200 factory staff at Beeston, but over the next two years this figure will be reduced to 1,000.
The decision has been made so the company can step up production of Boots own products and reduce contract production for other firms.
Alex Gourlay, chief executive of Alliance Boots, Health and Beauty, said that the company would refocus the business on activities where it has a sustained competitive advantage, including its leading beauty and skin-care product brands.
Mr Gourlay said the job losses were regrettable and staff would have an opportunity to redeploy, where possible.
He went on to say the long-term aim of the firm was to keep manufacturing in Nottingham.
"By modernising and improving the efficiency of our Nottingham factory, we strengthen its position for the future and make it more suited to support the increasing global footprint of our product brands," said Mr Gourlay.
"It is an important step in our continued efforts to keep contract manufacturing in the UK, despite the on-going challenges that the industry faces."
Most of the staff were told about the cuts in meetings before their shifts started.
However, those leaving the factory at 2pm were still struggling to come to terms with the news.
Production line worker Tibor Jura, from Long Eaton, said: "We had a meeting about what is happening and everyone seems to understand.
"I think most of the cuts are going from the night staff. I work in the day so it is a relief for me, but I feel for those that are at risk of losing their job.
The Boots factory, D10, manufactures 45 per cent for its own stores and 55 per cent for other firms, with products such as toothpastes.
