Food group Bakkavor eyes closure of ‘unsustainable’ Wigan factory
International food group Bakkavor is set to close its factory at Ince, Wigan, putting 750 jobs at risk.
In a stock market statement this morning, the listed company said: “As we seek to further enhance our returns, we have identified that our Bakkavor Meals Wigan facility is unsustainable with low margin business in a factory that requires significant investment. This has resulted in the difficult but necessary decision to announce the potential closure of this site, with consultation to commence at the end of September 2024.
“Should the consultation lead to closure, we would expect to exit c.£80m of business in H1 25. We appreciate this is a difficult time for affected colleagues and are committed to supporting them. We plan to offer colleagues alternative roles within our business wherever possible and will also be working on several initiatives to help colleagues secure alternative employment opportunities in their local area.”
The group owns 20 other factories in the UK, including where they make bread at Crewe and at Nantwich.
The Icelandic headquartered international food group purchased the business in 2005 for £44m from the Hitchen family, but has been reviewing its UK operations.
Wigan Council leader David Molyneux said: “We are deeply disappointed at this news and we will try to support the workforce as best we can.
“I have asked the council’s economic team to make contact with the company and support all those facing redundancy and their families.”
More reaction to follow.
