IN a recent story about a consultation on the ‘transformation programme’ at the Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) plant at Coleford, a comment was included from an anonymous employee about site director Mike Pedder’s former role at a different company.

LRS says the comment claiming that Mr Pedder was at the other company when changes were made to terms and conditions is based on personal opinion and not in fact.

A spokesperson from LRS said: “Mick is a very experienced leader with a wealth of strategic knowledge in both manufacturing and supply chain operations.

“He has led manufacturing sites in the soft drinks sector for many years and has extensive operational leadership experience within the food and beverage sector.

“The references made in last week’s article were purely anecdotal and not based on fact.

“Any union action that may or may not have occurred at the company in question happened outside of Mick’s tenure there.

“The consultation with certain teams at LRS is part of an ongoing programme aimed at making Coleford a “world class drinks manufacturing operation” that is sustainable in the long-term.”