The group operates four popular vegan food businesses that have become staples in many supermarkets’ free from sections – but its UK arm now appears to be in freefall.
Earlier this week, VFG made the closure of its Clive’s Purely Plants facility official, having effectively ceased operations shortly before Christmas, making 32 members of staff redundant.
Bizarrely, the drastic decision to dismantle the 40-year-old Devon brand came only months after VFG invested £650K into its production facility.
In a further blow, Meatless Farm and Vegan Fried Chicken (VFC) revealed that they would be splintering off from VFG, to form a separate entity trading as VFC Foods – which had hitherto been operating as a subsidiary.
These developments form part of a major restructuring plan for the business, which has also seen it close down its head office in York, making between 25 and 30 people redundant according to our sister title The Grocer.
VFG will now solely retain its Tofutown brand – which has also been deeply affected by the group’s wider struggles, with 60% of staff at its production facility in Lüneburg, Germany being let go – with additional resignations.
Speaking to The Grocer, VFG chairman Matthew Glover refused to answer specific questions on the future of VFG, or confirm the number of redundancies but said: “Decisions were made in the interest of creating a permanent, profitable operation to produce and distribute sustainable plant protein across Europe.”
This slew of job losses follows on from a large-scale board shake-up in September, which saw the departure of group CEO Dave Sparrow after five years in post, while CFO Phil Eden left after less than a year with the business to focus on “new professional opportunities”.
