UK fish products supplier Icelandic Seachill has briefed employees on proposals to close one of its three plants in the English seaport town of Grimsby with the expected loss of around 200 jobs.
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An Icelandic Seachill spokesperson told just-food today (24 June) it had outlined proposals to close its existing deli site and transfer remaining production to Icelandic Seachill’s coated site in Grimsby.
“The existing coated site will be reconfigured to integrate deli production and to reduce and optimise coating production in line with demand and opportunities,” the spokesperson said. “Production at our chilled site at Laforey Road is unaffected.”
The proposals are now on the table for a 45-day period of consultation, which the spokesperson said would “lead to a significant number of redundancies”. The spokesperson added: “Should the proposed changes go ahead, we anticipate approximately 200 jobs would be affected.”
Icelandic Seachill said the timing of any changes “remains unclear, but are unlikely to be before October 2016”.
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By GlobalData“Our number one priority is to support those directly impacted by the decision that M&S have taken,” the company said. “The Icelandic Seachill business remains in good shape with strong and continuing partnerships with our remaining customers.”
Marks and Spencer has moved three private-label contracts from Icelandic Seachill to 2 Sisters Food Group, Greencore and Bakkavor.
An M&S spokesperson told just-food on 14 June: “The decision to move products from Icelandic Seachill to three other suppliers is not one we have taken lightly. However, we believe the move will further improve our fish offer and deliver new and exciting products for our customers.”
