BWG Foods has said that it intends to 'work closely' with fruit and vegetable supplier Donnelly’s during a 'transition period', following yesterday's announcement that the retail group is to consolidate its chilled and fresh produce supply through its National Distribution Centre (NDC).
In a statement, BWG Foods said that 'Donnelly Fruit & Veg, who currently manage the chilled supply chain for BWG, will continue to provide the service through the remainder of its three-year contract up to April 2015.
'Donnelly’s will continue to be a supplier of fresh and chilled produce directly to the NDC thereafter'.
All chilled and fresh produce distribution is to be consolidated into BWG's Kilcarberry site from next May.
Donnelly's, which briefed staff last week on the news, has said it will be seeking up to 98 redundancies, to take effect from the end of April 2015.
Ciaran Donnelly, Managing Director of Donnelly Fruit & Veg, said it was a difficult day for the company. “We will be working closely with our employees over the next number of months and we will be putting in place an outplacement program," he said, suggesting that there may be "opportunities for redeployment" into Donnelly's sister companies, Wonderfoods and Glan Arís, or potentially at BWG's facility. “We have been in business for 35 years," said Donnelly. "The service and professionalism of our staff have sustained us and helped us grow. While this is a difficult period for us, we do have a strong position in the market and we will continue to innovate and serve and grow with our customers.”
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
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