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Major investment plans for Devon poultry company
Wednesday 19 March 2008
Major investment plans for Devon poultry company
Multi-million pound investment plans have been announced today at the South West's leading poultry company, Lloyd Maunder Ltd., which became part of 2 Sisters Food Group in January this year.
Investments of more than £5.5 million are being made to facilitate a major expansion in the company's processing capacity, with plans to increase throughput from 530,000 chicken per week more than 710,000 by the end of the year.
The company's structure has been under review since January when it passed from family ownership to become part of 2 Sisters Food Group, itself a family business. Because of some duplication of roles between the Lloyd Maunder operation and its new parent company, it's now been announced that out of a total workforce of 650, 32 jobs will be made redundant from support service functions and production management.
“This loss is very regrettable but unavoidable,” says Richard Maunder, site director. “We're on track to become a centre of excellence for UK specialist poultry production which means longer term security for a majority of employees. But if we're to be competitive and profitable our operation has got to be efficient and focused which, at this early stage, has resulted in a small number of job losses.”
Mr Maunder also confirmed that the current restructure and expansion is likely to result in some new job opportunities and help secure the long term future of the Devon operation.
Consultation is now underway with the worker's union Unite (T&G section), with redundancies expected to take affect towards the end of May.
Lloyd Maunder is currently looking for more farmers to produce chicken for it in the West Country region. To find out more prospective poultry farmers can call Lloyd Maunder on 01884 820534.
ENDS
For further press information contact Veronica Newport on 01363 866927 veronica@n-pr.co.uk.