Lush moves 18 employees to Germany following Brexit

Published: 1-Sep-2016

UK retailer says decision to manufacture from Europe has been done "with a bullet" following Brexit

Lush Cosmetics has confirmed that today nine of its employees have transferred to Dusseldorf from its UK base following Brexit.

The Poole-based cosmetics company shared a statement with Cosmetics Business saying that by September, in total 18 members of staff will have opted to leave the UK and relocate to Germany.

When the Brexit announcement was first made, Lush clarified that its decision to move production to Germany did not come as a direct result of Brexit. It said at the time that it had long planned to serve European customers from Europe.

Many of our staff still have uncertainties about what the Brexit deal will mean for them and continue to wait anxiously for this to be revealed

In a new statement, Lush said: “While this was always the plan – to make product for Europe in Europe (alongside our Croatian factory) – the reality of the Brexit vote has meant we have done it with a bullet.

"Many of our staff still have uncertainties about what the Brexit deal will mean for them and continue to wait anxiously for this to be revealed.”

Lush Manufacturing started part production in March and has now expanded to full production with soap production due to start next week, with 252 full time staff members.

The cosmetics retailer confirmed: “From March to the end of July, the Dusseldorf factory was only supplying Germany. In August they started supplying France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland with further supply in Europe planned for 2017.”

Up until the recent staff moves, Lush had employed roughly 1,400 people in Poole and 4,057 in the UK.

On top of the 18 staff members who have moved to Dusseldorf, Lush will offer more roles to those “keen to move” this week.

Looking ahead to December, the company added: “In September we will start Christmas production in Dusseldorf, employing over 100 extra staff locally.”

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