Sofina Foods, a Canada-based company in the food and beverage industry, has announced the closure of its white fish processing factory in Grimbsy, UK, effective October. This decision is in response to the changing demands for products produced at the Marsden Road site, leading to the unfortunate impact of 285 job losses.
Back in June, Sofina Foods had already proposed the closure of the factory. “We explored a number of options to maintain operations and to protect roles. Sadly, this has been unsuccessful,” said Sofina, acknowledging the failed attempts to sustain the site. Continuing production at the factory is no longer financially viable, the company added.
Sofina Foods currently runs two plants in Grimsby that manufacture chilled and frozen fish, including products under the renowned Young’s brand. As part of the closure, the whitefish processing operations will be relocated to the Humberstone Road site in the same town, while smoked processing will be transferred to a facility in Fraserburgh, Scotland.
The company assured that it will create new job opportunities at the Humberstone Road and Fraserburgh sites during the transition, and will endeavor to offer alternative roles within the group to those affected by the closure. Sofina Foods is widely recognized for its ownership of diverse pork and seafood brands like Karro, Bloors, Stirchley Bacon, Young’s, and Young’s Gastro.
With 16 plants and three hatcheries across Canada, as well as 23 sites across the UK, Ireland, Germany, and France, Sofina Foods has a significant presence in the food and beverage industry. The company made headlines this year with its acquisition of Eight Fifty Food Group, a prominent UK and Irish meat and seafood processor previously owned by private-equity firm CapVest.