Ideal Standard, privately held multinational bathroom, sanitary ware and plumbing fixture company headquartered in Belgium, intends to move production from Hull in the north of England to Egypt.
The company said the decision to move production to existing facilities overseas was to ensure the company operated as efficiently as possible.
Managing director Stephen Ewer said the company understood it was difficult news for everyone involved.
He said: “This proposal is not related to the quality of work or the skilled people in our Hull manufacturing site and we will work with those affected to minimising the impact as much as possible.
“We are committed to our presence in Hull and our offices and key business functions such as customer service will remain in the city.”
On the other hand, It has now entered into a formal 30-day consultation with staff and unions.
Dave Oglesby, GMB organiser, said: “The lack of investment in the site over recent years has had a major impact.
“This is another nail in the coffin of UK manufacturing and once again it’s the north that takes the brunt.
