FDBusiness.com

Netherlands-based VION, Europe’s largest fresh meat group, is creating an additional 250 jobs within its Scottish operations. A multi-million pound investment programme, together with the support and commitment of the workforce, and active partnership with the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scottish Enterprise (SE), has delivered a swift and positive return.

Approximately 150 new jobs have been created at VION’s chicken processing business at Coupar Angus, where the investment included the installation of a new finished packing line, enabling VION to offer true ‘Produce of Scotland’ – chickens hatched, reared and processed in Scotland, with the birds grown with feed from its own Scottish mill.

A further 100 jobs have been created at the added value plant at Cambuslang. The investment has allowed the site to grow its business by 25% in 2010.

In addition, 234 jobs at Cambuslang have been safeguarded with the help of a Scottish Enterprise Regional Selective Assistance grant of £650,000.

“This is very positive news and just reward for the tremendous efforts not only of the teams at Cambuslang and Coupar Angus, but also through the wider VION supply chain from our farmers and feed mill operators, through to our production, sales and administration colleagues,” comments Andrew Fisher, VION Poultry’s regional director for Scotland and the Southern Region.

VION’s the UK arm, VION Food Group, produces and processes high quality beef, lamb, pork, bacon and chicken as well as a wide range of convenience products such as sausages, cooked meats and added value cooked chicken. The UK operation has extensive facilities across the Britain from farms and hatcheries to primary production, processing and packing. The business is primarily focused on the UK retail market but also includes important food service and wholesale clients within its portfolio.