In a major blow to the local economy, Anglo Beef Processors (ABP) has announced the closure of its Linden plant in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The decision, which the company attributes to the “difficult but necessary requirement to consolidate and reduce the number of its retail packing facilities,” will result in the loss of 338 jobs.
The Linden plant, located on the Granville Industrial Estate, is responsible for processing and manufacturing beef, lamb, pork, and chicken for branded and own-label products. The company has stated that it will enter into a formal consultation process with the affected employees and explore options for redeployment or relocation where possible.
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew expressed shock at the news, saying, “This news will come as a shock to the workers at this retail packing facility, and my thoughts are with them and their families.” He urged the company to do everything in its power to retain as many jobs as possible, including through redeployment and providing support for those made redundant.
Democratic Unionist Party MLA Deborah Erskine described the news as “a hammer blow to the local economy,” while Ulster Unionist Party MLA Diana Armstrong warned that the closure would lead to “enormous uncertainty” for skilled workers, who may have to travel further or relocate for employment.
In a statement, an ABP spokesperson acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, but stated that “streamlining our operations is a necessity to achieve operational efficiencies, maintain our competitiveness and strengthen our business for the long term.” The company has promised to provide support to all colleagues at risk of redundancy, including exploring opportunities for redeployment or relocation.
The closure of the Linden plant is a significant blow to the local community and the Northern Irish economy, with the loss of 338 jobs set to have a substantial impact. As the company navigates the challenging and changing market for beef and lamb, the focus will be on supporting the affected workers and minimizing the impact of this decision on the region.
