Around 90 jobs are to go at a Lanarkshire food casings firm with the company now planning to increase the range of products manufactured at its Moodiesburn base.
Devro announced this week that it plans to close its Bellshill site next year – but says that the Moodiesburn facility, which recently received a £2 million investment, “will remain a strategically important site for the firm”.
Consultation is now underway with the affected employees, with officials from the trade union pledging its support to workers and calling for all modern equipment to be retained in Scotland rather than shipped abroad.
Regional industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore said: “The announcement by Devro to close its Bellshill site with 87 job losses is devastating for the workforce, and it’s vital that everything is done through this consultation period to ensure there are no compulsory redundancies.
“The company has stated that it wants to increase the range of products at Moodiesburn – we’re calling on [them] to guarantee job security and a future for the Moodiesburn site.
“As part of this process, it will be vital to protect and safeguard all modern equipment in Scotland.”
Devro, which makes food collagen products such as sausage skins, “concluded it has excess infrastructure” following a global review.
The firm – which was chosen for the employer of the year award at May’s Lanarkshire Business Awards – says its plans are “in response to changing trends in consumer behaviour” and recognise “the strategic importance of the Moodiesburn site”.
Click here for more from Airdrie and Coatbridge
Chief executive Rutger Helbing said: “Decisions like this are never easy. I know this will be an uncertain time for many colleagues, their families and the wider community. Our priority now is to ensure we have the right support in place for those who may be affected by these plans.
“Scotland will remain strategically important to Devro’s global operations. However, the collagen market is evolving and we must look at how we manage our business and stay competitive.”
