WARWICK, ENGLAND — Pilgrim’s UK, a business unit of Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., announced its plans to cease its Bury St Edmunds and Coalville pork operations in the United Kingdom.
The company initially proposed the closure and informed workers in September regarding the decision.
“This will be a phased process while the transfer of products to alternative Pilgrim’s UK sites takes place,” a Pilgrim’s UK spokesperson said in a statement. “We would like to thank all of those involved in the process, for their outstanding professionalism and high-quality levels of service maintained during what we recognize has been a challenging time.”
The company added that it’s working closely with colleagues at the risk of redundancy to provide support and guidance, which could include alternative opportunities within Pilgrim’s UK network.
A report from the BBC said the Coalville plant employed 350 workers and the Bury St Edmunds facility employed 290 workers.
In October, Pilgrim’s UK invested £800,000 ($780,000) to expand two lines at its pork processing plant in Bromborough, which are now operational.