Belgian potato supplier Agristo has won the contract to produce Aunt Bessie’s potato products after deal with previous licence holder Heinz “came to a natural end”.
The news comes as the proposed closure of Heinz’s potato production factory in North Walsham, Norfolk, is set to cut 200 jobs. Agristo will now take over supply and production of Aunt Bessie’s products from its bases in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The BBC reported the Heinz factory closure proposal is subject to a 45-day consultation process, and was made 'after thoroughly exploring extensive alternatives and options'. Workers are thought to have been informed yesterday lunchtime (8 October).
The proposed job losses have been met with concern by trade union Unite, which said that it is a “direct consequence” of the current government’s law change allowing companies to walk away from communities in a matter of weeks.
“It is particularly concerning that Heinz is planning only 45 days to consult on their closure plan,” said Julia Long, head of food manufacturing and national officer at Unite. “We would urge Heinz to think again and work with us to find another solution.”
“This is devastating news for the workforce, and so close to Christmas. Two hundred families face a very bleak time unless we can persuade Heinz to think again,” she added.
Owner of potato brand Aunt Bessie’s, the William Jackson Food Group, said management of the brand will now move in-house to gain greater control over the brand’s future direction, while supply and production will be taken over by Agristo.
“We scoured the UK and then Europe for new a supplier of potato products which would deliver the quality expected by our customers and selected Agristo,” said CEO of William Jackson Food Group, Norman Soutar.
“Heinz has done a great job with our Aunt Bessie’s potato business but we’re now keen for it to join the rest of the Aunt Bessie’s operations in-house, giving us greater influence over its management and long-term future direction,” he said.
Soutar added that the contract with Heinz reaches its natural end in 2015.
The William Jackson Food Group also owns organic box-delivery company, Abel & Cole, grower-processor MyFresh, a bakery and a gastro-pub.
