Employees of Tyrells crisps in the UK have won a landmark negotiation for better pay and conditions, following negotiations with the business, writes Neill Barston.

The deal was struck with the assistance of the GMB workers union, and has mean that around 130 staff will now benefit from improved terms within their work for the Herefordshire business, which is now owned by KP Snacks.

Notably, the company which was formed in 2002, has gone on to rapid expansion, enjoying a presence across Europe, as well as entering the highly-competitive US market.

As the GMB union noted, the negotiation represents the first ever union agreement at the Herefordshire site, where workers hand make crisps on the farm where the company was founded.

The company was founded by entrepreneur William Chase, who is reported to have sold his controlling stake in the business for a sum of £40 million in 2008, which then saw the business go on to a period of considerable expansion under new ownership.

It has passed through the ownership of several entities in recent years, including Bahrain investment group Investcorp, before being bought out by US business, Amplify Snacks, then a short time after this it was acquired by KP Snacks in 2018, which has continued to manage the brand.

Tom Warnett, GMB Senior Organiser, welcomed the positive out for workers at its core manufacturing base.

He commented: “This landmark deal is the first of its kind at this famous company – making some of the UK’s favourite crisps. It has come off the back of dedicated work by our GMB reps on site.

“We look forward to working together with the company to keep high quality jobs making a high quality product.

“Workers across Herefordshire and in food manufacturing across the country are organising through GMB Union to get a seat at the negotiating table. With new powers under the Employment Rights Act, this is agreement is a sign of things to come.”