Future of bacon factory 'is safe' (From Gazette & Herald)

Future of bacon factory 'is safe'

THE future of Malton Bacon Factory is secure. That was the message given yesterday by the company's owner, Grampian Country Foods, after fears emerged that it could be under threat.

The Leeds-based company's chairman, Fred Duncan, had been quoted in a Scottish newspaper saying that Grampian needed to be a low-cost operation because of competition.

But Alistair Cox, head of communications for Grampian, said that while in the past the company had closed some parts of its operations, the Malton factory was safe.

"It is a significant element in our future development plans," he said.

There were no plans to cut any of the 2,500 jobs at the Malton factory, which was started more than half a century ago. But, added Mr Cox, Grampian needed to be efficient to survive "in this very competitive" industry.

"Competition is very fierce," he said. Grampian regarded the Malton operation as "very efficient".

Earlier reports that the factory's future could be in doubt had caused "considerable concern" among the workforce and he was happy to give re-assurances to them.

The concerns were raised this week after news that the future of two of the company's other factories was hanging in the balance.

Mr Cox said the company was "in the consultation process" of closing its factory at Rotherham, where 350 staff are employed, and also with staff at its plant at Buckie in the north- east of Scotland.

Grampian specialises in a wide range of meat products and bought Malton Bacon Factory four years ago when it was renamed Grampian Country Pork.

"To remain competitive we have to be cost effective and we need to have larger sites. Malton is the largest site run by the company," said Mr Cox.

"We are continually reviewing our operations and activities as, indeed, does any company."

He said Grampian was happy with the Malton operation including the transporting of pigs by heavy trucks to the factory.

Grampian was always exploring potential reorganisation as part of the whole of the company's operation.

"But the future of the Malton factory is good," he said.

Updated: 15:20 Wednesday, October 05, 2005