Summer misery as Grampian cuts shift at Llangefni plant

- Published: 12 May, 2006

Grampian Country Food Group (GCFG) is to scrap one of two shifts operated at its Llangefni chicken processing plant in Anglesey, Wales.

The phased move, which is likely to be completed by mid July, will bring about an unspecified reduction in the number of chickens slaughtered on site as well as the potential loss of 210 jobs from a workforce of 510.

The Llangefni plant is one of seven GCFG chicken processing operations in the UK but the only one to supply the particularly price-sensitive manufacturing sector. Grampian is blaming the decision to drop a shift on the high level of competition from within the UK and from imports, notably from Brazil and Thailand.

Bird flu outbreaks have also played a part, damaging chicken sales in other parts of Europe and pushing additional quantities of poultry meat on to the market. "It is very competitive out there," commented

Alasdair Cox, spokesman for the Aberdeen based group. "Any business needs to ensure it is efficient to continue supplying its customers."

The group has been faced with increases in costs which it has been unable to recoup through its selling prices, he added.

This latest move at Llangefni follows the closure over recent months of GCFG sites at Buckie, Driffield,

Robertsbridge and Uckfield.