A MAJOR baby products plant in west Suffolk has announced it will be relocating some of its manufacturing to Turkey.

But any fears the move would mean job losses at the Philips AVENT factory, in Glemsford, have been quashed by company chiefs.

The firm’s bosses said the relocation was due to increased demand and would not mean reductions in staff.

Gillian McKnight, senior HR manager, based at the Glemsford site, said: “We can confirm that due to an increased demand a small element of our production will be moved to Turkey.

“This will enable us to focus our energies in Glemsford on key areas for our business to move forward.”

Some employees of the 600-strong workforce were concerned any change of production could result in job losses.

A member of staff, who did not want to be named, said workers – especially those on temporary contracts – were worried about their future prospects at the Philips AVENT site.

Mrs McKnight added: “We are pleased to announce that we are increasing our headcount to cope with the extra demand, so employees working in any outsourced areas – approximately 25 people – are being offered other roles at Glemsford.

“Many temporary roles are also being made permanent this year, clearly showing our commitment to our Glemsford site for the future.” She said a number of technologies had been identified where the company would be setting the industry benchmark and these areas would be developed in Suffolk.

Mrs McKnight said: “We are putting significant investment behind this strategy.

“The new products we are adding to Glemsford manufacturing far outweigh the volume and impact of the lines that are moving to Turkey.”

AVENT, which makes a range of baby feeding products – including bottles, breast pumps, feeders and sterilisers – was acquired by the electronics group Philips five years ago in a �460million deal.