FROZEN OUT
450 jobs at risk as Young’s proposals deal a ‘massive blow’ to Scotland’s food industry
BY BEN WOODS reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk BRITAIN’S biggest seafood producers have announced plans to close a factory in Scotland, putting 450 jobs at risk.
Young’s Seafood are set to shut down their Pinneys site in Annan by the end of the year as part of sweeping changes blamed on “exceptionally challenging” market forces.
Politicians described the news as a “massive blow” to Scotland’s food and drinks industry.
Young’s said salmon production would be shifted from Pinneys to a factory in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, creating 200 jobs there.
But 50 positions could be created at their scampi factory in Annan to meet growing demand.
Chief executive Bill Showalter said yesterday: “Today’s proposals to close our Young’s Pinneys site does not reflect on the committed and skilled teams there. They are a credit to our company and, if these proposals do go ahead, we will work hard to maintain the employment of all colleagues throughout this transition.
“We have a long history of seafood production in Annan and, whatever the outcome of the consultation, we will continue to be a part of the community, given our other factory within the town.”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell, whose constituency includes Annan, said: “The news that Pinneys are to close their doors is a tragedy.
“Pinneys have been an important part of the Dumfries and Galloway community for many years and their closure will be a great loss in an area with few large employers. My thoughts are with the company’s workers, and their families, at this uncertain time.
“The UK Government stand ready to do all they can to help those affected.”
Labour’s South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said: “There are whole families employed at Pinneys, who have served the town as major employers for decades.
“A closure of this scale in such a small community will send shockwaves right across the whole, already fragile, local economy.
“It is also a massive blow to the Scottish food and drinks industry to lose such a long-standing processor.”
Scottish business minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “I will look to engage with management at Young’s to better understand the background to this unwelcome decision, which has come without any warning, and to see if any action can be taken to prevent job losses.”
The announcement came as Young’s landed three contracts with Marks & Spencer to provide chilled and frozen coated fish, natural salmon and white fish between 2018 to 2023.
The firm are also eyeing an export push into China, after expanding the brand in the US to bring their frozen fish products to supermarkets such as Walmart.
Young’s, who are based in Grimsby, employ about 2000 staff across the UK.