Case study | Org transformation

Supporting staff through a major site closure and relocation programme

Helping 500+ people confidently navigate career transition with tailored outplacement workshops and coaching

Client overview

Business type

Manufacturing

Locations

Employees

500+ affected

Key outcomes

84% of impacted employees engaged with outplacement support
100% of participants supported into their next career step
Productivity and engagement maintained throughout a two-year transition
Employees received tailored support for employment, retirement or self-employment

The challenge

A manufacturing business serving the automotive sector was required to close its UK operations following a strategic decision to relocate production to mainland Europe. The closure impacted more than 500 employees across all levels of the organisation, from production operatives to senior leaders. Many employees had spent decades with the business, including multiple generations of the same families and individuals with more than 40 years’ service.

The organisation wanted to deliver a high-quality outplacement programme that would support employees through a lengthy transition period while maintaining productivity and engagement. People needed tailored support based on their circumstances, whether that meant securing a new role, exploring self-employment, planning for retirement or building confidence for a return to the job market after many years.

Key challenges included:

Supporting 500+ employees with varying career transition needs
Maintaining engagement during a two-year site closure programme
Helping long-serving employees re-enter an unfamiliar job market
Providing practical and emotional support throughout the transition
Equipping leaders and HR teams to manage change effectively

The solution

NFP partnered with the organisation to deliver a comprehensive outplacement and career transition programme, led by a dedicated project manager embedded within the client team throughout the closure period.

Support was tailored to individual circumstances, helping employees identify their next step and build a practical plan to achieve it. Whether securing a new role, launching a business or preparing for retirement, employees had access to ongoing support throughout the transition and beyond.

Our approach included:

Delivering one-to-one outplacement coaching, career workshops, resilience support and unlimited access to NFP's online career centre
Providing enhanced executive outplacement support through dedicated, peer-matched career coaches for senior leaders
Supporting HR teams, employee representatives and managers through consultation training, communications and change leadership workshops

The results

For the organisation

Strong engagement with our outplacement support

84% of impacted employees engaged with the outplacement programme

Reduced disruption during restructure

Productivity and employee engagement maintained throughout the closure

Overall change programme strengthened

Leaders were equipped to manage the restructure effectively, leading to positive employee feedback

For their people

100% success rate

All employees that engaged with our support were supported into their next career stage

Greater confidence and direction

Increased confidence in job searching, career planning and retirement decisions

Support shaped around the individual

Tailored support aligned to individual goals and aspirations

“The workshops were great. I feel a lot more confident about the future now and what I need to do to get another job.” “I haven’t needed a CV in over 15 years so had no idea where to start. After my 1:1 session, I now have a great CV that I can feel proud of.”

Outplacement support recipient

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