According to recent reports almost 190 jobs are under threat at three Midlands sites of Aga Rangemaster, with plans to make the first round of redundancies by 5th February next year, according to union GMB.

According to Aga Rangemaster, its management team has been “undertaking a review of the strategic aims of the business” and identified “potential structural and commercial changes” as part of this review. The news of the potential redundancies comes swiftly on the heels of Middleby Corporation's acquisition of Aga Rangemaster earlier this year for £129m.

Aga Rangemaster said in a statement that it entered a “formal consultation period with employees” regarding changes to the business and potential redundancies. The company noted that there are “no plans to close the four manufacturing sites as part of these changes”.

“We regret that there must be changes to the workforce, but we are consulting with employees, trade unions and other stakeholders to minimise the impact and ensure that this difficult process is managed with sympathy,” said Tim Fitzgerald of the Middleby Corporation.

GMB is engaged in consultations on up to 60 redundancies with the company at its Leamington Spa site, it said. According to the union, there will also be 109 redundancies at Long Eaton and 19 at Telford, bringing the total up to 188 job losses but it is not known how many of these potential job losses will be voluntary or compulsory.

“AGA Rangemaster is now engaged in consultation over 188 redundancies at their three sites in the Midlands,” said GMB regional officer Mohammed Khalik. “This is very disappointing news especially at this time of year when people should be looking forward to a break with their families.

“GMB have met with the company to discuss the reasons for this decision. The priority will be to limit the number of job losses and to avoid compulsory redundancies.”