Farmcare (UK) says jobs are at risk at its Carnoustie potato packing plant

Following the end of a significant packing contract, Farmcare is to embark on a period of consultation with 90 staff. The company has told workers at its potato packing site in Carnoustie that it expects a reduction in trading volume from September will force job cuts.

Farmcare Trading Ltd has informed PotatoPro that "not all 90 jobs are at risk, though as Farmcare is in a period of consultation with its Carnoustie colleagues, it's impossible at this early stage to say how many jobs are at risk."

The site at Clayholes Farm in Balmachie Road specialises in packing and does not have any processing facilities, meaning it cannot offer a broader service to customers beyond the pre-packing of fresh potatoes.

Farmcare CEO Richard Quinn said the company believes long-term investment to deliver processing capability is not commercially viable.

Richard Quinn, Farmcare CEO:

‘’We’re proud to be an employer in Scotland and we want to approach the consultation in the most transparent way possible, as we genuinely care for the future of the great team we have at Carnoustie.”

“We will be offering guidance and support to those directly affected and will seek to utilise voluntary redundancies as a way to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies required.”

“We will, of course, also explore alternative employment opportunities for those affected.”

Mr Quinn added that the move was necessary to bring “costs in line”.

Richard Quinn:

“We’re equally dedicated to securing existing customers’ business into the future as well as exploring new business opportunities.”

“We’ve already had an encouraging account win with a large retail customer, resulting in securing a long-term relationship: this will help secure a number of roles at the Carnoustie site.”

“However, it is with regret that at this time we need to move into a period of consultation with our Carnoustie colleagues in order to bring costs in line with our business.”

“These are challenging decisions for any long-term-minded business and over the coming weeks we will be focused on supporting our team throughout the consultation process.”

Farmcare company employs 250 people across 12 sites in Britain.