RYEDALE'S leading employer is to axe 200 jobs.
Vion UK, which bought the former Malton Bacon Factory last
June, yesterday announced it plans to re-structure the business.
Along with the Malton redundancies 470 workers will go at its Haverhill site in Suffolk and another 150 at Cambuslang in S
cotland.
The Dutch company said it wants to focus its resources to create "centres of excellence". As a result the abattoir, butchery and parts of its retail operation at Haverhill will now be transferred
to Malton, which employs approximately 1,000 people, with all
cooked meats operations moving the other way.
It added the decision follows an extensive review of its UK operations and was made against a backdrop of a very competitive market place and overcapacity within the UK meat industry.
"Due to increasingly competitive pressures from the market place we must continually look to optimising our production facilities to ensure sound foundations for the development of our UK business," said Alasdair Cox, director of corporate affairs.
"In creating dedicated facilities at Malton and Haverhill we will also be investing in both plants to build the
business.
"We regret the need for these changes in our activities announced today and have informed our employees and their union representatives of our commitment to consult with them. The commitment from the teams at Haverhill and Malton has never been in question."
A consultation has started with the affected employees and their representatives to explore ways of avoiding redundancies, including transfers both within the site operations and to other
businesses within the company.
Vion is also talking to Yorkshire Forward to find out what support and
assistance can be provided to protect jobs at the Malton centre and how to grow the business in the future.
Theresa Lindsay, assistant business director at Yorkshire Forward said:
"Vion's processing plant at Malton is vital to the local economy and Yorkshire Forward is working closely with Vion in the restructuring of the business to safeguard its future and ensure that the excellence within the wider group."
A spokesman for Unite said: "This is very concerning as these job cuts
show how vulnerable the supply chain companies in the food industry
are to the demands of their clients, usually the big supermarkets.
"Unite is seeking urgent talks with the Vion Group. Our priority is to
resist compulsory redundancies and safeguard jobs."
And district Cllr Howard Keal said: "Another hammer blow is being levelled at the local economy with these threatened job cuts. As well as the serious impact on the workforce there is potential damage to other traders and suppliers which will add to the pain.
"Vion is committed to further talks to reduce redundancies which is
welcome as is the involvement of Yorkshire Forward to help the business."
He added: "The factory remains a force in our local economy and that
we need it to emerge stronger and fitter for the future with the ability to grow again. We have to do everything possible to make sure that happens."
*What do you think? Contact us on 01653 600051 or email andrew.pitt@yrnltd.co.uk
