Following two years of operational investments, food-to-go business Adelie Foods has confirmed it is proposing the closure of its Kilmarnock factory affecting around 180 jobs.
Adelie Foods specialises in the food-to-go market, making sandwiches and snacks.
It is proposing to move volume from its Kilmarnock factory to its southern sites in Wembley and Southall as from February 2019.
In addition, a small number of roles at Adelie’s Munro Place Distribution Centre will be put at risk as part of the proposals, with some roles moving to other parts of the Group.
Martin Johnson, CEO of Adelie Foods explained: “We have reviewed our factory estate to ensure that it is the right size and profile for our future needs, taking into account the nature of our sales growth and the efficiency that has been delivered operationally.
“As a result of this we are proposing to move all production from our Kilmarnock factory to our southern sites in Wembley and Southall.
“This proposal to close our Kilmarnock factory has been made after significant and careful consideration. Kilmarnock has been an important part of our business in servicing our customers in Scotland.
“However, with the recent investment now complete, we have the ability to service each customer from our remaining three factories and our existing distribution centre in Kilmarnock.”
Martin Johnson, CEO of Adelie Foods.
Commenting about the past year, Johnson explained that the company has experienced strong like-for-like sales growth from product innovation, and has invested heavily in equipment and capabilities.
Johnson added: “Our vision, to be the preferred choice for customers and consumers in food to go, is underpinned by our strategy to have the most cost-effective and capable manufacturing and distribution infrastructure.
“This allows us to efficiently deliver our exciting range of sandwiches, salads, hot food and snacks throughout the UK.”
The company will now enter into a period of consultation with employees at Kilmarnock and Munro Place, and will be talking with them and their representatives over the coming weeks.
