Bergerac R&D in cost-cutting sights

As part of its cost-cutting plans, Imperial Tobacco intends to “offload” its research center in Bergerac, France, according to a story in Le Figaro.

Imperial said last week that it was proposing to close its cigarette factories at Nottingham, U.K., and Nantes, France, as part of a cost optimization program aimed at delivering savings of £300 million a year from September 2018.

It said the projects, which are planned to be “implemented progressively” during the next two years, were aimed at strengthening its competitive position.

The “European restructuring projects” could see 900 jobs axed.