Bernard Matthews Jobs to Go?

3 February 2010, 16:08 | Updated: 3 February 2010, 16:56

Up to 160 jobs could be going at Bernard Matthews in Norfolk.

The company have announced they are beginning a staff consultation process, which may lead to a reduction of up to 160 salaried and production employees between March 2010 and February 2011.

The company are planning to move production of frozen whole birds from South Site at Great Witchingham to its site at Holton.

Independent of this move, they are also proposing to make a small number of redundancies in other areas of the business.

Jeff Halliwell, Bernard Matthews UK Managing Director, said:  “We are two years into a four year strategy to return the business to profitable growth and while the Company’s results are moving in the right direction, we are still far from the levels of returns the business should be making.

“Key to this is the fact that the frozen whole bird part of our business is currently unprofitable. Rather than exit the frozen bird market we have carried out a detailed review of the operation, and have developed a plan that ensures this part of the business returns to profitability. The plan requires transferring the production of frozen whole birds to our Holton site in Suffolk. The move cannot be completed until early 2011, but it is our duty to explain the rationale and consult with staff and the Union as early as possible.

“We are also proposing to lose a small number of roles in other parts of business as the company continues to ensure it is run as efficiently and profitably as possible.

“We appreciate that this consultation process may cause a degree of uncertainty for our staff, and we will provide staff with regular updates with regards to any further developments.”