Lactalis has delayed the planned closure of a plant in Spain, a move union officials have said could allow time for the factory to be acquired, rather than shut down.
Workers at the site in Valladolid, which manufactures products sold under the Lauki brand, on Tuesday (7 June) ratified a deal that sees Lactalis hold off on closing the facility until 1 October. Eighty-five staff work at the plant.
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“We hope to find a buyer company that allows a future for Lauki,” Juan Manuel Ramos, an official for the Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras, said.
The agreement provides “advantageous” conditions for staff if a buyer cannot be found, the CCOO union said. Employees will be offered the chance to apply for 87 roles at other Lactalis plants in Spain.
When contacted by just-food today, Lactalis officials in Spain declined to comment.
Lactalis announced its plans to shut the factory last month. It said the Lauki dairy brand was suffering declining sales. Activity at the factory has “declined significantly” in recent years, affecting its competitiveness Lactalis added.
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By GlobalDataThe French dairy giant said the decision to close the plant was part of “a process of rationalisation” to achieve improve efficiency. It is planning on reducing capacity in Spain and concentrating on growing sales volumes “in order to ensure the continuity of brands, especially Lauki”.
