More than 900 jobs are understood to be at risk following news that a big East Midlands employer could close.
Northern Ireland poultry processing business Moy Park has said future investment at its site on the Airfield Industrial Estate at Ashbourne, Derbyshire - and farms in the area - was unsustainable. It said the operations could be consolidated into other factories within the group. It is understood that up to 935 people could be affected.
Moy Park employs almost 10,000 people across 12 processing facilities in Northern Ireland, England, France and the Netherlands. It is said to be Northern Ireland’s biggest private sector business and one of Europe’s biggest poultry producers supplying branded and own label products to shops and food service providers.
Moy Park Limited turned over more than £1.5 billion last year and pre-tax profits were £32.7 million – compared to £82.6 million the year before.
Accounts for Moy Park Limited published on Companies House state the business paid its shareholders a dividend of £50 million in 2021.
A spokesman for the business said: "Moy Park has announced a consultation with staff at its Ashbourne facility, hatchery and logistics operation in Derbyshire as it proposes changes to its processing model following a strategic review.
"Due to ongoing investment in its facilities over the past several years and enhanced efficiencies, the business is now in a position to move its fresh primary operations from a four-factory processing model to a three-factory model and is proposing to close its processing facility, hatchery and logistics operation in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
"The company’s Ballymena site in Northern Ireland and Anwick site in Lincolnshire have been identified as having capacity to absorb additional production and grow in the future.
“Moy Park will continue to operate a total of 11 food manufacturing sites across the UK, France and the Netherlands.
"Whilst this is difficult news for all the affected employees, this has no reflection on their dedication or commitment to the business. We will be working closely to provide support to employees at the site and in our supply chain impacted by this proposed change.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to customers and these proposed changes will ensure the business is best positioned for future growth.
“Focusing on operational excellence is all the more important given the challenging headwinds and inflationary environment facing our industry and businesses right across the UK.
“We are therefore fully committed to continued investment in high standards and manufacturing best-practice in order to fully satisfy market demand and growth, now and into the future.”
