Vion announces multi-million-pound investment at Broxburn plant

The Dutch company yesterday (22 September) unveiled plans for a Centre of Excellence at Vion Hall’s, its largest site in Scotland. The training centre will replicate the model of its Lean Leadership Academy, which was trialled in Suffolk, and focus on improving business processes through the adoption of lean practices.

Vion will invest in excess of £20m in the project, which will be supported by nearly £2m of grant funding from Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland.

Thanking Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland for their support, Vion UK chief executive Ton Christiaanse said: “People are at the heart of our business and this announcement underlines our commitment to the development of our skills base. This investment not only demonstrates our confidence in the Hall’s site, but also in the Scottish pig farming sector, who are key partner suppliers to our business.”

Up to 100 of the 250 new jobs created at the site will be modern apprenticeships. Damien Yeates, chief executive of Skills Development Scotland, which gave a £500,000 contribution towards apprenticeship training costs, said: “We’re delighted to support [Vion’s] plans to employ and train people in West Lothian, giving staff the chance to get nationally recognised qualifications in a specialised skill. Today’s announcement will bring gains for Vion, the individuals who work here and for the West Lothian economy.”

The project has attracted the support of the Scottish Government, with First Minister Alex Salmond pointing out that, in addition to creating 250 new jobs, the Centre of Excellence will safeguard the 1,000 existing jobs at the plant.

“Securing 1,250 jobs through the new Centre of Excellence at Hall’s in Broxburn is fantastic news,” he said. “Vion’s investment in their new training centre...is a major vote of confidence in the Scottish workforce and Scotland’s economic future.”
 
The investment has also been welcomed locally. West Lothian council leader Peter Johnston said that the creation of new jobs was “wonderful news” for the area, and promised that the council would work with Vion to ensure the company receives the assistance it needs.

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