Factory in South Staffordshire to axe 130 as it scraps products
More than 130 workers face losing their jobs at a meat factory in South Staffordshire after bosses announced plans to scrap a line of chicken products.
Cargill Meats Europe, based in Bilbrook, is looking to get rid of its cook-at-home poultry products line in the new year. The move could see 132 jobs axed, the company said.
The firm, based on the Balliol Business Park on Wobaston Road, said it had been struggling with the profitability of products.
Spokeswoman Wendy Garbutt said: "It is proposed that the product line, which produces cook-at-home poultry products, will cease production on March 22. The proposed closure will affect 132 employees.
"Faced with increasing raw material costs and falling sales we have been working hard to try to find a profitable way forward. Unfortunately we have not been able to find a solution and we have announced our intention to cease production of this line."
Mrs Garbutt said the firm was "extremely sorry" that despite the best efforts of employees and the quality of the products produced, the current economic environment had led to the announcement.
The firm has now entered a consultation period with staff. No other Cargill operations are affected by the announcement.
