Cargill announces intention to close its Castleblayney meat processing facility

HEREFORD, UK — 1 December 2011 — Following a review of its operations due to the loss of a substantial amount of business at its Castleblayney facility earlier this year, Cargill’s European meat business has informed employees that it is seeking a suitable buyer prepared to take over the operation.

Cargill’s priority is to try to find a solution that will keep the facility running, however if it is unable to find or to reach agreement with a suitable buyer then all production will potentially cease on Friday 24th February 2012.

Cargill’s Castleblayney facility underwent a restructuring process in June to implement necessary changes to reduce the operation’s financial losses while all possible efforts were made to source new customers. Although some new sales opportunities have been found, regrettably these have not provided sufficient production volumes and continued operations at the site are no longer economically viable.

“This is a disappointing decision for the business and for all the employees at Castleblayney”, said Steve James, manager at Cargill’s Castleblayney facility. “Unfortunately we have been unable to find sufficient demand to support ongoing operations at the facility. Our intention now is to seek a suitable buyer that will keep the facility running but if we are unable to, then regrettably we will have to cease production at the site.”

The intended closure of the Castleblayney facility will potentially result in around 90 job losses at the site. Cargill has entered into a period of consultation with the employees and the facility’s Works Council.

Following a review of its operations due to the loss of a substantial amount of business at its Castleblayney facility earlier this year, Cargill’s European meat business has informed employees that it is seeking a suitable buyer prepared to take over the operation.

Cargill’s priority is to try to find a solution that will keep the facility running, however if it is unable to find or to reach agreement with a suitable buyer then all production will potentially cease on Friday 24th February 2012.

Cargill’s Castleblayney facility underwent a restructuring process in June to implement necessary changes to reduce the operation’s financial losses while all possible efforts were made to source new customers. Although some new sales opportunities have been found, regrettably these have not provided sufficient production volumes and continued operations at the site are no longer economically viable.

“This is a disappointing decision for the business and for all the employees at Castleblayney”, said Steve James, manager at Cargill’s Castleblayney facility. “Unfortunately we have been unable to find sufficient demand to support ongoing operations at the facility. Our intention now is to seek a suitable buyer that will keep the facility running but if we are unable to, then regrettably we will have to cease production at the site.”

The intended closure of the Castleblayney facility will potentially result in around 90 job losses at the site. Cargill has entered into a period of consultation with the employees and the facility’s Works Council.