2 Sisters Food Group confirms closure of chicken factory in Essex, UK

2 Sisters Food Group has announced the closure of its chicken factory in Witham, Essex, a move that would lead to more than 400 jobs being cut.

According to the company, it has not been able to find an alternative to closing the factory.

The facility employs 528. Around 100 employees will be transferred to facilities in the Eastern region.

The company was quoted by BBC as stating: “Following our colleague consultation process, it is with regret that we can confirm the closure of our poultry processing site in Witham.

“Unfortunately, we have been unable to identify a viable alternative to closure. We anticipate that production will finish by the end of August.

“We would like to reiterate that the tough decision to cease operations at Witham is no reflection on the colleagues at the site who have been dedicated, loyal and hardworking, and we would like to thank all for their professionalism during a very unsettling time.”

The company supplies chickens to several supermarkets in the UK. It owns brands such as Fox’s Biscuits and Holland’s Pies.

2 Sisters stated that it would help its employees find other job opportunities, both within its group and externally.

In May this year, 2 Sisters Food Group announced a series of actions to turnaround the business.

The company then stated that it would invest in its UK Poultry and Fox’s Biscuits businesses, and would cut down the number of its UK Poultry sites for more efficient supply chains in order to deliver quality products and high service levels.

In August 2018, Irish food company Kepak Group signed an agreement to acquire 2 Sisters Red Meat’s UK business and assets from Boparan Holdings for an undisclosed price.

In September 2017, the Food Standards Agency investigated the company for alleged safety violations at one of its facilities in West Bromwich.