ABP Linden has confirmed its intention to cease retail packing at its facility based at Granville Industrial Estate in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.
A media statement issued on behalf of ABP this evening, Tuesday, January 20, confirmed that the meat processor has entered into “a formal consultation process with 338 colleagues whose jobs are at risk”.
The statement from the processor on the issue said: “ABP continually reviews its’ processing footprint to ensure that we have the most efficient operational model aligned to trading conditions and market trends.
“Changes in the UK landscape have led to the difficult but necessary requirement to consolidate and reduce the number of our retail packing facilities situated within the UK including Northern Ireland.
“Regrettably therefore it is our intention to cease retail packing at our ABP Linden retail packing facility based at Granville Industrial Estate in Dungannon. As a consequence, we have entered into a formal consultation process with 338 colleagues whose jobs are at risk.”
The statement also confirmed that ABP “will seek to minimise the impact on those who are affected” and added that this “would include redeployment where possible”.
ABP Linden continues to receive and process cattle and sheep as usual and the jobs at this separate facility, also located within Granville Industrial Estate in Dungannon, are not impacted.
ABP’s Lurgan and Newry sites are not impacted and continue to operate and receive livestock as usual. Kettyle Irish Foods in Lisnaskea is also not impacted.
A spokesperson for ABP said: “This has been a very difficult step. But we are facing a challenging and changing UK and global marketplace for beef and lamb.
“Streamlining our operations is a necessity to achieve operational efficiencies, maintain our competitiveness and strengthen our business for the long term.
“We are providing support to all colleagues at risk of redundancy within the ABP Linden retail packing facility.”
The statement affirmed that ABP UK “remains committed to Northern Ireland’s agrifood sector.
“We continue to focus on developing future opportunities for the sale of Northern Irish beef and lamb within the UK and further afield.
“Our long-standing procurement partnerships with Northern Irish farmer suppliers is supported by continued investment in the future sustainability of beef and lamb production in Northern Ireland.”
