Brewery giant Carlsberg will outsource distribution to DHL Tradeteam before the end of 2018, triggering job fears amongst its drivers.

The brewer would deliver long-term cost and service benefits as well as make it “agile and responsive and focused on brewing premium quality beer brands”, it said.

Joe Clarke, regional officer at Unite which represents drivers, warehouse operatives and admin staff in 11 depots, was “dismayed” by the decision but said he would refrain from commenting in detail until Carlsberg’s management had published its full business plan.

He did reveal that job security of its members was top priority and promised to fight any compulsory redundancies.

“We will also want copper-bottomed guarantees on pay, and terms and conditions should workers be TUPE’d  [Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations] to DHL Tradeteam,” Mr Clarke added.

Union reps will meet face-to-face with management at Carlsberg’s Northampton base on Monday 11 July.

The 11 Carlsberg depots concerned are at Alloa (Scotland), Birmingham, Bourne (Lincolnshire), Durham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Northampton, Nash Mead (Newport, South Wales), Southampton and Torquay.