Hundreds of jobs are at risk of being lost in Dungannon after a large-scale retail packaging company and food processor announced its closure.
The announcement was made by ABP yesterday (Tuesday) regarding their Linden factory at the Granville Industrial Estate in Dungannon.
ABP Group are one of Europe’s leading food processors, which – according to their website – provides quality beef to “thousands” of customers across the world.
The company also has two additional sites in Northern Ireland in Newry and Lurgan which are unaffected.
A statement issued by the company explaining their reasons for closure 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. We will seek to minimise the impact on those who are affected. 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.
“This has been a very difficult step. But we are facing a challenging and changing UK and global marketplace for beef and lamb. Stream-lining 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. This will include exploring opportunities for redeployment or relocation.
“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.”
Several local representatives have reacted to the news, with DUP Councillor for the Clogher Valley area, Mark Robinson branding it “very concerning”.
Sinn Féin Councillor, Deirdre Varsani added: “Linden Foods – a big shock to the local economy and hundreds of of homes and families under huge and sudden stress this evening.
“Thoughts with all the hard working teams involved at Retail Packing facility at Granville. Important to check full details as the separate cattle and sheep processing facility is not affected.”
DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has reacted to the news that 338 jobs are at risk at the ABP Linden facility in Dungannon.
The MP said: “I am deeply shocked and disappointed to learn that ABP Linden intends to cease its retail packing operation at Granville on the outskirts of Dungannon.
“This decision will send shockwaves through the local community and beyond. These are skilled, hardworking people with families who depend on this employment, and for them this news will be devastating.
“Dungannon and the wider Mid-Ulster area has a proud industrial and agri-food heritage. The Linden facility has been a significant employer for decades, and its importance to the local economy cannot be overstated.”
Ms Lockhart added: “While the company has cited changing market conditions and the need to consolidate and reduce its packing facilities across the UK, that will be of little comfort to workers now facing enormous uncertainty about their futures.
“I note the company’s commitment to enter into consultation and to explore re-deployment where possible. However, I will be seeking urgent engagement with ABP Linden’s senior management to ensure that every possible alternative to redundancy is fully explored and that workers are treated fairly, transparently and with respect throughout this process.
“I will also be raising this matter urgently with the Economy Minister and other relevant stakeholders. There must be a co-ordinated response to support affected workers, including retraining opportunities, re-deployment support and wider economic intervention to protect jobs in Dungannon area.”
Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector is a cornerstone of the economy. Carla Lockhart MP added: “Decisions of this magnitude underline the ongoing challenges facing the industry and reinforce the need for long-term, sustainable support for both processors and the farming community.”
The company has confirmed that it will continue to slaughter and process locally produced cattle and sheep at the Granville site in Dungannon. Its facilities at Newry and Lurgan will not be impacted.
