Novartis to shut UK R&D site, axe 371 jobs
Updated on 8 November 2013
Novartis will shut down its Horsham site, in the UK, and will slash 371 jobs. However, the firm said that it will work closely with employees through this difficult time
Novartis is planning to shut down its Horsham site, near Parsonage Road, in West Sussex, UK. The company, which is expected to axe 371 jobs due to the closure of the site, revealed that it will work closely with employees through this difficult time.
A Novartis spokesperson said that, “Novartis UK is today announcing that it will initiate consultation on proposals to close its Horsham site in West Sussex. These proposals will impact up to 371 roles, but will be subject to an employee consultation process and final UK board approval.”
The spokesperson further added, “We understand that this will be a difficult time for potentially affected employees, their families and the wider Horsham community given the links the company has in the area. We will work closely with everyone affected, including our associates, contractors, suppliers and local stakeholder groups, to make the process as straightforward and smooth as possible.”
Moreover, the spokesperson said, “This potential restructure of operations at the Horsham site is the result of a global review of research operations and realignment of our other global R&D sites. The proposals are part of the company’s ongoing efforts to align resources to better serve patients and customers in a challenging healthcare marketplace.
The spokesperson also highlighted that, “As a company, Novartis continually evaluates its resource allocation to ensure that the organization is highly flexible and able to proactively adapt to external challenges to best meet the needs of patients and customers. Our pipeline and future potential growth are strong.”
The spokesperson from Novartis also revealed that, “However, we face challenges in today’s industry. Our unified focus on growth, innovation and productivity will help us meet these challenges today and tomorrow, for the benefit of patients and customers worldwide.”
