Adelie Foods to close Kilmarnock factory

The changes were scheduled to take place in February, it said. A small number of roles at Adelie’s Munro Place distribution centre would be put at risk as part of the proposals, with some roles moving to other parts of the group, it added.

However, the centre would remain operational. “We can now distribute nationally from any of our southern factories,” ​an Adelie Foods spokesman told Food Manufacture.​

“We have reviewed our factory estate to ensure that it is the right size and profile for our future needs, taking into account the nature of our sales growth and the efficiency that has been delivered operationally,” ​said Martin Johnson, chief executive of Adelie Foods.​

“As a result of this we are proposing to move all production from our Kilmarnock factory to our southern sites in Wembley and Southall.​

‘Significant and careful consideration’​

“This proposal to close our Kilmarnock factory has been made after significant and careful consideration. Kilmarnock has been an important part of our business in servicing our customers in Scotland.​

“However, with the recent investment now complete, we have the ability to service each customer from our remaining three factories and our existing distribution centre in Kilmarnock.​

“In the past year we have experienced strong like-for-like sales growth from product innovation, growing with our existing customers and extending our market reach.​

“We have also invested heavily in our factories in equipment and capabilities; and in our distribution network with new higher-capacity vehicles, cutting-edge systems and new depots meaning that we can now distribute nationally from any of our factories in the UK. ​

“Our vision, to be the preferred choice for customers and consumers in food to go, is underpinned by our strategy to have the most cost-effective and capable manufacturing and distribution infrastructure.​

‘Hot food and snacks’​​

“This allows us to efficiently deliver our sandwiches, salads, hot food and snacks throughout the UK.” ​

The company said it would now be entering a period of consultation with employees and their representatives at Kilmarnock and Munro Place from now until early February. 

The Kilmarnock plant makes a range of sandwiches, hot food and snacks, including Urban Eat products.

Aside from its Kilmarnock site, Adelie Foods runs three factories – in Milton Keynes, Wembley and Southall – making sandwiches, wraps, toasties, paninis and breakfast pots.

The company can also produce salads, snacks, yogurts and catering platters.

Adelie Foods' Johnson was shortlisted for the Business Leader 2018 award​​ in the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards earlier this year. Register your interest in entering the next awardshere​​.