UNILEVER is to quit? its plush office complex in Flintshire, axeing up to 100 jobs.
The consumer goods giant will shut down its IT headquarters in Ewloe in early 2014.
Up to 100 employees at the St David?s Park office could be made redundant.
The remaining 400 staff will be moved to a hub in Port Sunlight, Wirral.
Yesterday?s announcement confirmed proposals unveiled in June to invest ?40 million at Port Sunlight and to close four UK plants.
Unilever?s human resources director Tim Munden said: ?There are currently in the region of 500 people at our Ewloe office. Redundancies could affect in the region of 100 people.
That is the information I have but we still need to confirm it.?
He added: ?Of the 100 potential job losses these are a mixture of employees and contractors. I think about half and half.?
Talking of the staff relocations he said: ?The offices are 15 miles apart and many of the people who work in Ewloe used to work in Port Sunlight anyway.?
He said Unilever was in talks with its IT centre in Bangalore, India, over potential outsourcing of jobs from Ewloe.
Meanwhile, Unilever will sign a distribution contract with Deeside company Great Bear, which will create 50 new jobs.
The three other sites to go are in Swansea, Bridgend and Slough, where a total of 500 jobs face the axe.
The investment in the new manufacturing and IT hub at Port Sunlight will create 150 new jobs.
Chairman of Unilever UK and Ireland, Amanda Sourry, said: ?Following an extensive review, we have decided to move forward with proposals outlined in June.
?The investment into Port Sunlight will play a significant role in helping to maintain and sustain our current success and competitiveness both in the UK and on a global scale.
?We understand that many of our employees will be anxious at this time.
?That?s why we are pledging a good package of support for employees who are adversely affected.
?We will consult fully on these measures, and are committed to conducting a sensitive and thorough consultation and helping our employees to understand their options for the future.?
A 90-day consultation with all affected employees will begin on Monday.
Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami MP said: ?I am clearly disappointed that Unilever has decided to proceed with its reorganisation which will lead to the closure of the Ewloe site.
?I am reassured to some extent that a large number of those employees will transfer to Port Sunlight but jobs will still be lost with work going to India. The company?s commitment to open a distribution depot in Deeside is positive news and will create employment but does not offset the loss of the Ewloe site. I am in regular contact with the company to explore all options for the staff affected.?
Secretary of State for Wales David Jones said: "I understand a comprehensive package of support will be offered to those who may be affected by the redundancies, including opportunities for some employees to relocate to Port Sunlight.
?The news that around 50 new jobs will be created at Unilever's distribution centre in Deeside will also create more local opportunities in North Wales.?
Unite Wales secretary Andy Richards said: ?This news from Unilever unfortunately does not come as a surprise today but it is still disappointing and distressing for our members and other workers at the sites.
?Needless to say, any move that takes jobs and investment out of Wales is not good news, especially in the current economic climate.
?The priority now must be to ensure the best possible deal and future for those affected by today?s announcement.?
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