Trouw Nutrition has unveiled a new "operational and delivery model" for the island of Ireland following a review of its core business functions and customer service structures.

Trouw Nutrition's core business is feed specialties, premixes and nutritional services for the animal nutrition industry.

The company, which is a division of Nutreco, said today (Tuesday, September 30) that this follows a decision to close its production plant in Northern Ireland earlier this year.

The manufacturing facility on Ship Street, Belfast has ceased production and will close permanently from today.

The closure has resulted in the loss of around 29 jobs within Trouw Nutrition Ireland, mainly in production.

But the company has said the restructuring change only relates to manufacturing with commercial, sales, technical support and customer service operations unaffected.

These will continue from the company’s headquarters in Clarendon Dock, Belfast.

Trouw Nutrition

According to Trouw Nutrition it has invested significantly "in shaping a stronger, more agile operating model" in recent months.

It has also confirmed that its products are now manufactured at the company’s existing GB and European production sites and supplemented locally through a long-term supply partnership with North Down Grain, based in Newtownards, Northern Ireland.

Bruce Spain, Trouw Nutrition’s country manager UK and Ireland, today said that he recognised that the last few months "have been painful, both for our valued colleagues and also for our customers".

"It has also caused a level of uncertainty regarding our operations in this market," he added.

But Spain said the company is "fully committed to the island of Ireland".

"We thank our people and our customers for their continued loyalty, ongoing support and partnership," he added.

Trouw Nutrition, whose parent company is headquartered in Amersfoort, Netherlands, has a presence in 105 countries.