Home » News » 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd Purchase » Clipping Hundreds Of Workers Await Their Fate After Sale Of Poultry Firm
Hundreds of staff at one of Devon's biggest employers which has a new owner will learn their fate within a fortnight.
The new owner of Lloyd Maunder, at Willand, near Cullompton, has set a two-week deadline for any major changes to the business. Midlands-based 2 Sisters bought the poultry producer from the Maunder family for an undisclosed sum at the end of last week. The food group approached the firm, which was set up in 1898, with a view to expanding the business.
Although they are understood to want to enlarge the company - and concentrate on specialist poultry ranges - it is not yet clear if any jobs will be shed.
Andrew Maunder, along with co-directors Peter and Richard, will stay on at the firm. Andrew will also continue to oversee the running of the Lloyd Maunder butcher's shops, which are not included in the acquisition.
Mr Maunder said: "All day Monday we spent communicating with staff. We had a meeting with senior management in the morning and met with all our farmers in Tiverton later. Every farm was represented - that's 157 farms."
He said some staff were involved in coffee shop-style breakfast meetings.
Mr Maunder added: "The company bought the business because we are successful.
"All the talk at the moment is about expanding facilities. That means there is potential for more jobs but also for our farmers to expand and increase.
"The talk is not of job losses, but of expansion. That's reassuring for workers."
Ian Johnson, a spokesman for the National Farmers' Union, said: "The first thoughts are that change is never a comfortable thing for anyone, particularly in this financial climate.
"We would hope that the people who work at the plant will have some sort of livelihood to look forward to, and there seem to have been assurances given on that score.
"From the farmers' point of view, Lloyd Maunder has always had an old-fashioned gentlemanly approach to doing business. One would hope to see that continuing.
"They also wouldn't want to be disadvantaged by the sale, or be squeezed of further profits.
"At the same time, they might be reassured by a large company moving in there. It will be a case of wait and see."
Mr Maunder also spoke about the reasons for selling the firm.
He said: "We were approached by 2 Sisters. They made us an offer which, when put to the 19 shareholders, was accepted.
"We said we wanted to take our business from 20 per cent specialist to more than 50 per cent, which we have done. We now do 60 per cent organic and free range.
"We have been very successful. That's what drew 2 Sisters to us. They realise the market is going towards specialist poultry.
"We believe we can make a bigger impact in the industry being part of a very big, very successful business."
A spokeswoman for 2 Sisters said: "It's too early to have any clear indication about staffing levels. The senior management has given a clear message to employees that they want the operation to grow.
"It's inevitable there will be some changes but, on balance, it should be really good news for Lloyd Maunder and for the industry."
Cullompton residents reacted with surprise to news of the sale. Norma Mariner, who breeds racehorses on a neighbouring farm, said: "It is a worry not to know what it might mean to the local area."