22/04/2010
Shut Down of Ready Meal Factory leaves 234 Jobs At Risk
Ethnic Cuisine, a ready meals factory in Swansea, is set to close putting over 200 jobs at risk.
The owner of the Leeds-based company said they decided to close after being unable to secure terms to supply their products to Sainsbury.
Sainsbury's said: "Our priority is to meet our customers' needs for high quality, tasty, good value food, both now and in the future. Following extensive discussions with Northern Foods in Swansea we came to the conclusion that our existing supply agreement on ethnic ready meals was no longer viable for either party.
"Ethic Cuisine said they will be commencing consultation with employees on a proposal to close the site."
One worker, who did not want to be named, said they were told about the closure when they came into the 8am shift this morning and there had been no warning beforehand. The jobs are mostly shift work in the food preparation and chilling area and the workforce includes a lot of agency staff.
Northern Foods acquired the Swansea factory in November 2007.
The Swansea-based company, based on an industrial estate in Winch Wen, was founded in 1994 by Malaysian-born businessman Yow Meng Yap, with a workforce of 40.
Northern Foods also makes Goodfella's pizza and Fox's biscuits, as well as a wide range of ready meals, at sites in Carlisle, Grimsby and Sheffield, employing more than 2,000 people.
(LB/CD)
The owner of the Leeds-based company said they decided to close after being unable to secure terms to supply their products to Sainsbury.
Sainsbury's said: "Our priority is to meet our customers' needs for high quality, tasty, good value food, both now and in the future. Following extensive discussions with Northern Foods in Swansea we came to the conclusion that our existing supply agreement on ethnic ready meals was no longer viable for either party.
"Ethic Cuisine said they will be commencing consultation with employees on a proposal to close the site."
One worker, who did not want to be named, said they were told about the closure when they came into the 8am shift this morning and there had been no warning beforehand. The jobs are mostly shift work in the food preparation and chilling area and the workforce includes a lot of agency staff.
Northern Foods acquired the Swansea factory in November 2007.
The Swansea-based company, based on an industrial estate in Winch Wen, was founded in 1994 by Malaysian-born businessman Yow Meng Yap, with a workforce of 40.
Northern Foods also makes Goodfella's pizza and Fox's biscuits, as well as a wide range of ready meals, at sites in Carlisle, Grimsby and Sheffield, employing more than 2,000 people.
(LB/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 May 2004
Consumers warned over supermarket ready meals
Consumer have been warned to choose their supermarket ready meals carefully as new research has found that some products contain more than three times the fat and up to nine times the amount of salt of rival brands.
Consumers warned over supermarket ready meals
Consumer have been warned to choose their supermarket ready meals carefully as new research has found that some products contain more than three times the fat and up to nine times the amount of salt of rival brands.
28 March 2008
School's Out For Junk Food
The School Food Trust is to set in motion measures that will curb school children binging on junk food. Currently in some parts of England, pupils have a choice of more than 40 fast food shops, with many targeting children with special lunch menus.
School's Out For Junk Food
The School Food Trust is to set in motion measures that will curb school children binging on junk food. Currently in some parts of England, pupils have a choice of more than 40 fast food shops, with many targeting children with special lunch menus.
18 April 2008
Calls For Tougher Junk Food Advertising Laws
More than eighty percent of adults believe junk food advertising can make it difficult to feed children healthy food, a new survey has claimed. Consumer watchdog Which? Found 83% of consumers surveyed wanted the government to become more involved in controlling the marketing of unhealthy food to children. In total 2,000 people were questioned.
Calls For Tougher Junk Food Advertising Laws
More than eighty percent of adults believe junk food advertising can make it difficult to feed children healthy food, a new survey has claimed. Consumer watchdog Which? Found 83% of consumers surveyed wanted the government to become more involved in controlling the marketing of unhealthy food to children. In total 2,000 people were questioned.
25 October 2004
Tourists warned of risks of bringing food into the UK
The risks and controls prohibiting people bringing food into the UK from EU countries have been highlighted today as part of a public awareness campaign launched today. The current rules mean that it is illegal to bring meat and milk-based products for personal use back into the UK from outside the EU.
Tourists warned of risks of bringing food into the UK
The risks and controls prohibiting people bringing food into the UK from EU countries have been highlighted today as part of a public awareness campaign launched today. The current rules mean that it is illegal to bring meat and milk-based products for personal use back into the UK from outside the EU.
29 October 2003
New proposals set to curb fast-food littering
Fast-food outlets and customers will be encouraged to clean up their act under voluntary proposals published today by the government.
New proposals set to curb fast-food littering
Fast-food outlets and customers will be encouraged to clean up their act under voluntary proposals published today by the government.