As soon as a distinguished chief in turkey meat manufacturing in the UK, Bernard Matthews Meals has introduced plans to shut its best-known plant at Nice Witchingham.

Bernard Matthews launched a turkey enterprise with 20 hatching eggs and a second-hand incubator in 1950. Pushed by its charismatic founder as a widely known public determine, the enterprise grew to its peak within the Nineteen Nineties, when the agency diversified into different meats and fish.   

Final week, the corporate introduced the probably closure of the cooked meat plant at its authentic website at Nice Witchingham in Norfolk, reported Japanese Each day Press.

Greater than 600 jobs are in danger, though many of the present workforce will likely be provided employment at different Bernard Matthews’ websites. These embrace Attleborough and Thetford in Norfolk, in addition to Eye, Flixton, and Holton within the neighboring county of Suffolk.

Following a assessment of its companies, the firm has recognized funding and progress alternatives at these different websites within the area.

There now follows a regular process involving consultations with workers and their representatives, Unite the Union.

Regardless of funding within the Nice Witchingham plant and efforts to safe extra enterprise, the ability is now not viable, a spokesperson for the corporate stated. 

Ongoing enterprise challenges for Bernard Matthews

Within the yr to January of 2022, Bernard Matthews Meals reported a pre-tax lack of greater than GBP25 million (US$32 million). The loss was diminished to about GBP10.2 million for the next yr in outcomes just lately posted.

Regardless of a 5.2% year-on-year enhance in gross sales to nearly GBP285 million, prices additionally rose — on gross sales in addition to distribution and administration. In consequence, working loss was down from a shade beneath GBP25 million for the yr ended January 2022 to GBP9.6 million for the next 12 months.

The entire agency’s reported gross sales had been of poultry and associated merchandise. For the yr to January 2023, greater than 98% was generated within the U.Ok., and simply over GBP4.2 million within the European Union.  

Over latest years, the agency has been struggling to steadiness rising prices with weak demand as turkey meat merchandise misplaced recognition. Moreover, there was an nearly steady menace to the enterprise from avian influenza, and manufacturing services are approaching the top of their efficient life.

Within the two newest buying and selling years coated by these studies, the workforce declined from greater than 2,100 to round 1,840. 

Extra on Bernard Matthews Meals

In accordance with the corporate’s site, Bernard Matthews was listed within the Guinness Guide of Information within the Sixties as the most important turkey producer in Europe. Over the following 20 years, the enterprise expanded with new merchandise and ranges to enchantment to the rising marketplace for comfort meals and more healthy choices.

In 2010, founder Bernard Matthews resigned as chairman.

Six years later, the firm was acquired by Ranjit Singh Boparan, and included into Boparan Holdings. By turnover the most important meals firm within the U.Ok., the group additionally contains 2 Sisters Meals Group.

With 525 million birds slaughtered yearly, 2 Sisters is the second largest poultry firm in Europe, in accordance to WATTPoultry.com’s High Poultry Corporations survey.