English Village Salads (EVS) has let go of a third of its staff after losing a crucial contract with Asda.
Following the conclusion of the 90-day consultation with employees at the Bakkavör-owned supplier, the company has made 24 compulsory redundancies from a total of 74 salaried employees with further departures likely from its weekly staff.
EVS employs a total of 270 salaried and weekly paid staff, of which 203 had been at risk, across both the Selby and Newport sites.
In June the Yorkshire business commenced a 90-day consultation with staff in order to re-organise its packing operations and propose redundancies.
Asda's decision to take a substantial part of its salad procurement in-house through International Produce Limited has proved a serious threat to the “long-term viability and sustainability of EVS”, Bakkavör said in a statement.
It added: “We are continuing to work closely with weekly paid employees to identify alternative employment opportunities at other Bakkavör sites, and are aiming for the final number of weekly paid redundancies to be less than 50, a significant reduction on the original estimation at the start of this process.
“We've worked hard to ensure the best possible outcome for our employees and we are grateful for the patience and understanding they have demonstrated throughout the consultation process.”
Bakkavör also intends to reorganise its staffing at its site in Spalding after losing a tender to supply speciality salads to an unnamed client which it continues to supply.
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