Del Monte UK ‘s fresh prepared produce factory at Methwold, Norfolk is at risk of closure. The firm has announced that it is in consultation with staff and that operations will continue until consultations have been completed.
The company employs some 250 people at the facility which it acquired from the Albert Fisher Group in 2002.
“It is a sad fact that, ever since we acquired it, Methwold has consistently failed to make money, despite the best efforts of all involved,” said Peter Miller, UK managing director. “Unfortunately, we have concluded that there is no business alternative other than entering into consultations with our employees to determine the future of the site.”
Prepared salads are the main line produced at the site which supplies supermarkets and the food-service sector. However, the reported loss of a contract with McDonald’s meant that some workers had already been fearing the worst.
Employees have been invited to come up with cost-cutting suggestions to try and keep the operation open. The local community is taking the news as a blow and Christopher Fraser MP is writing to Miller to urge him to try and keep the factory from closure.
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