Hilton Food Group is implementing changes at its UK seafood operations, including plans to make more than 20 staff redundant as CEO Steve Murrells invests in automation. The company’s Grimsby site, which houses two processing facilities trading as Hilton Seafood UK, is where the redundancies will occur. Despite challenges like inflation and supply-chain disruptions, the seafood category has returned to profitability.
“To maintain market competitiveness, Hilton Seafood is introducing new filleting equipment to its Grimsby site,” a company spokesperson stated. This move will unfortunately lead to redundancies in specific filleting roles. CEO Steve Murrells has invested over £21m ($26.6m) in automation and robotics at one of the Grimsby plants, aiming to drive volume growth.
The other Grimsby facility is also set for investment, which Murrells believes will reduce costs and support fish partners in the upcoming months. Although questions have been raised about potential seafood job losses, the impact seems limited to filleting roles and won’t affect the broader Hilton Seafood business.
Philip Heffer, Murrells’ predecessor, highlighted challenges in the seafood business in last year’s annual results. He emphasized cost reduction through automation and rebuilding profitability with a new seafood team. The UK seafood business returned to profitability in the latest financial year, contributing to Hilton Food’s overall growth in adjusted operating profit and revenue.
In addition to seafood, Hilton Food supplies private-label meat, vegan, and vegetarian products to markets in Europe and APAC. The company remains optimistic about the future, particularly in seafood, as indicated by Murrells. “We’ve got our mojo back,” he remarked in a discussion about the positive results.
Overall, Hilton Food Group’s strategic investments and operational improvements reflect its commitment to navigating challenges in the ever-evolving food and beverage industry. The company’s focus on automation and profitability underscores its determination to stay competitive and support its partners in the long run. Sign up for our daily news round-up to stay informed about the latest food and beverage industry trends, food and drink business news, and food and drink consumer trends.