Pilgrim’s UK has proposed the closure of its Ashton site, putting 542 jobs at risk. The decision is part of the company’s ongoing footprint review as it aims to optimize its structure for long-term growth and development. Unfortunately, the proposed closure follows a challenging period for the UK pork sector, which has seen a 15% reduction in the sow herd and loss-making farmers leaving the industry due to high production costs and lower pig prices.
The closure of the Ashton site is not the first for Pilgrim’s UK, as it has previously closed Coalville and Bury St Edmunds sites, with the latter set to close imminently. In addition, the company introduced a four-day week at Ashton in September 2022. Rachel Baldwin, Pilgrim’s UK Vice-President of Human Resources, emphasized that the decision to propose the closure of the Ashton site was not taken lightly, and the company had explored alternative options. She stated, “A key part of our work to return to growth includes ensuring we fully optimize our operational footprint, and the age and location of Ashton within a densely populated area means that there is no feasible opportunity to modernize or grow the site. As a result, these proposals are unfortunately essential to ensure a sustainable future for our team members across the UK.”
The proposed closure of the Ashton site would entail transferring operations to Pilgrim’s facilities in Spalding, Westerleigh, and Bromborough, with the creation of 90 additional roles split between the three sites. It is worth noting that Pilgrim’s UK’s proposed closure of the Ashton site is part of a wave of factory closures announced by food manufacturers since the start of the year. For example, Nestlé announced at the end of March that it will be closing its Caudry site in France due to a fall in demand, one year on from an outbreak of E-coli. Similarly, 2 Sisters’ consultation into the future of its Llangefni, Wales factory failed to bring forward any viable plans to maintain production at the site, as reported by the Welsh Government in February.
