Poultry factory jobs to go

Cranberry Foods Limited currently employs nearly 600 workers at the turkey factory just off the Heads of the Valleys road.

The company only recently rescued the factory from closure after former owners, Brandons, went into receivership.

But managing director David Horn yesterday confirmed that workers had been told job losses were necessary to ensure the continued viability of the company.

He said: "We are currently in discussion with the unions but it is likely that around 80 jobs will go.

"The industry is very competitive and there are import pressures, too. We need to ensure the business is profitable for the sake of the whole company and the local area."

Bryan Godsell, of the union Amicus, confirmed they had entered into formal consultation with the company.

He said: "The early indications are that members of the union are extremely angry given the support and commitment given to the company during the receivership and the early months of the take-over.

"We will continue with the consultation and support our members to achieve the best possible outcome."

The mayor of Abergavenny, Victor Barrett, said he was sad to hear the news of the job losses.

But, he said: "If losing 80 jobs ensures the long-term future of the factory then it has to be done.

"I only hope trade will improve and the jobs can be re-instated." Monmouth MP Huw Edwards said he was disappointed and hoped the management could work with the unions to make the losses as painless as possible.

He added: "Everyone was grateful that Cranberry Foods took the company over from receivership and had been making such a success of it."

The turkey factory has a difficult history. Sun Valley foods opened the site in 1991 and Brandons took over in September, 2000.

But in April, 2003, Brandons went into receivership and it was feared that up to 600 jobs would be lost until Cranberry Foods stepped in and took over the plant in September last year.