While some predicted doom and gloom for consumers when the Chain Reaction and Wiggle merger was announced, the possible impact on the workforce received less coverage. However, the newly formed WiggleCRC has today issued a statement saying:
‘For WiggleCRC to retain its position and remain competitive in the UK as well as increasingly global markets, we have concluded that this can be best achieved by concentrating the majority of our distribution through our warehouse facility in Wolverhampton.
‘This necessary step, will require the relocation of significant warehouse activities currently in Doagh, Carrickfergus and Ballyclare.
‘WiggleCRC will retain a significant staff and management presence in Northern Ireland, with at least 275 unaffected employees forming a vital part of our ambitious growth plans.’
Local press reports suggest 152 full-time jobs and another 161 agency staff are at risk of being lost. This amounts to almost half the local workforce.
Bikes, frames and bike assembly as well as wheel building are understood to be remaining in Ballyclare, while other warehousing will be focussed in Wolverhampton in effort to achieve ‘later order cut-offs and speed [of delivery]’, which are ‘becoming increasingly important for customers and a highly competitive area for all etailers’.
Of course, the quickest way for you to get many parts and spares will still be by popping down to your local bike shop today. Yes it might cost more, but it’s clear that the savings you make by buying online come at a cost – and it appears that it’s not just your local bike shop that’s losing out.
Comments (8)
Comments Closed
Merger?
Wow this is what happens when I take Spring away from the bike to sort the garden…
Money makes the world go round, apparently. Unless you’ve lost your job. Poor sods.
It was always going to happen though. I’d imagine there’s a lot of duplication between both companies and it’s inevitable somebody will bear the brunt. I got made redundant almost 10 years ago along with a load of colleagues due to exactly the same reason.
I don’t understand why they ever merged, there is little or no symmetry between the two, by this I mean that the prices on most products are very much different between the two, if, as they say, they operate under the same umbrella then why is there no standardisation of discounts and product prices?
This was widely predicted at the time of he takeover. Wiggle had its new distribution centre in Wolverhampton & needed extra business to justify the investment. In the last few months I’ve had the impression that CRC’s pricing has become less keen, presumably a deliberate ploy from Wiggle. I’d guess the NI facilities will become specialist centres for specific services like bike assembly while all routine retailing will end up in Wolverhampton. That’s how capitalism “works” (if that’s the right word) but it’s tough on the NI staff (I speak from personal experience).
Wait until Brexit happens and with NI having an open border with Ireland they will probably move the warehouse just across the border into Ireland so they have easier access to the EU. Might well be a boom for jobs in NI and the north of Ireland.
It was never a merger, but a Wiggle takeover, so 0% surprise…though it’s a shame for the folk losing their jobs 🙁
I always got better prices and service from CRC so shame it has now been lost to wiggle.