UK-based 2 Sisters Food Group has announced an investment into its Scottish Coupar Angus plant after having received funding from the government-backed Food Processing Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme, according to a statement.
2 Sisters will be investing around £3.5 million of its own money in the project, which will be added to the grant and amount to an investment of £5 million.
The funding will go towards staff development, as well as the purchase of new equipment. In addition, more than 250 new jobs will be created in the plant.
The new jobs will be created throughout all levels and departments, from production operative to technical management positions. There will also be two new engineering apprenticeship positions created.
Keith Packer, managing director of 2 Sisters UK Poultry, commented on the move, “We are committed to providing fresh, quality produce to our customers and creating a shorter supply chain enables us to do just that.
"We have always said we will invest when it is the right thing to do for the business, but the timing and conditions have to be right. This is a great example of that."
Remedying Job Losses
The job creation and new investment is a reverse of fortune for the company, which has had to close a number of production facilities and cut staff.
At the beginning of February, the group announced plans to close three of its production facilities across the UK, resulting in the potential loss of 900 jobs.
In April, the company signalled the closure of a large poultry processing plant in Cambusland, Scotland, which resulted in the loss of 450 jobs.
Changes in Leadership
The company has also seen a number of recent changes across its leadership team.
In February, former CEO Ranjit Singh Boparan stepped down as chief executive of 2 Sisters Food Group, after 25 years at the helm, succeeded by Ronald Kers who took over as CEO on 1 June.
Later in June, chief financial officer Richard Pike left the group and will be replaced by Craig Tomkinson beginning 1 July.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Padideh Aghanoury. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
