CHEESE PLANT’S BACK IN BUSINESS
Jobs to return as GRH site bought out of administration by major firm:
A Gwynedd dairy that collapsed into administration this June has been sold with jobs to return.
GRH Food Company in Minffordd, between Penrhyndeudraeth and Porth-madog, called in workers this summer to tell them the company was going into administration.
It saw 86 workers lose their jobs and came just two years after the firm received a £1.7m grant from Welsh Government to relocate from Y Ffor, near Pwllheli, to a new £6.5m headquarters.
But yesterday administrators KPMG confirmed the business had been sold.
Gloucestershire-based Futura - one of the largest suppliers of continental cheese to the UK and Ireland - has taken on the brand. The business is owned by major Danish dairy business Nordex Food.
The deal secures the future of cheese manufacturing at the site, as the buyer plans to restart operations at Snowdonia Business Park in the coming months.
Paul Dumbell, joint administrator and restructuring director at KPMG, said: “The deal with Futura provides a significant opportunity to revive a major employer in Snowdonia and continue a proud history of Welsh cheese manufacturing.
“With the backing of a major international dairy firm, Futura is looking to restart operations as soon as possible, giving a considerable boost to the local economy and a vote of confidence in the Welsh food industry.”
Hans Christiansen, managing director at Futura Food UK, said: “GRH has been a significant part of the local community in Snowdonia and was an established producer of quality dairy products. Taking on GRH opens up an exciting new area of the market for us and we are determined to build a positive future for the company, clients and everyone else connected to the business.
“The whole transaction has run seamlessly, with KPMG Manchester working hard to ensure the best result for all those involved.
“We are working hard to get the site back up and running and look forward to bringing jobs and investment back to the area.”
MP Liz Saville Roberts said: “I welcome the news that a buyer has finally been found for the former GRH foods factory in Minffordd, securing the future of cheese manufacturing at this strategic site.
“This is a state of the art facility with the latest in cheese production technology and I’m pleased plans are in place to restart manufacturing as soon as possible.
“I have a meeting lined-up with Futara Foods next week, and I’m looking forward to discussing their plans in more detail, where I’ll be pressing to see local jobs returning to the site.”