Dawnfresh Seafoods, a UK supplier to the retail and foodservice channels, has earmarked a multi-million-pound investment for one of its two factories amid plans to close the other processing facility in Scotland.
The family-owned business said it is encouraging staff at its site in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire – planned for closure in mid-2022 – to move to the company’s plant in the town of Arbroath, Angus, where Dawnfresh is investing GBP5m (US$6.9m) to expand the factory.
Dawnfresh’s 230 permanent production staff currently employed at Uddingston can apply for 150 new positions at the Arbroath factory, which has an existing workforce of 180.
A minimum 45-day consultation period with staff at Uddingston has started.
“To support employees to make the move, Dawnfresh is offering a relocation allowance, access to local area support from Angus Council, and protection of current pay and conditions,” it said in a statement. “For those who do not wish to make the move, Dawnfresh is engaging with employees, unions, skills agencies and North and South Lanarkshire Councils to help people find new jobs in the area.
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By GlobalData“The company is also seeking to work with government and other agencies to find an alternative use of the current site in Uddingston to retain employment in the area.”
Dawnfresh, which owns the brands Silver Tide, Loch Etive and RR Spink & Sons, said the business currently produces 10,000 tons of seafood a year for domestic and international customers. It plans to increase output by 30% over the next five years on the back of the investment in Arbroath and to increase its product offering, which consists of 350 different lines.
The company supplies smoked, chilled and frozen seafood, and also marinated products. It also serves private label and wholesalers.
Managing director Raleigh Salvesen said: “For the remainder of this year and until the move next year, our operations at Uddingston will very much continue as normal. The plan to expand facilities at Arbroath will provide a platform for future growth and help Dawnfresh to adapt to a changing and highly competitive business sector. This move is critical if we are to meet our objective of keeping seafood production jobs in Scotland.”
He added: “It will be sad to close our factory in Uddingston but we are incentivising our team to join us on this journey and hope many of our experienced and skilled staff join us in Arbroath.
“As one of the few remaining major family-owned Scottish seafood companies, we want to protect and build on that legacy and continue to deliver seafood products of the highest standard to our customers across the globe.”
