Threatened Vion poultry factory in Coupar Angus finds a buyer

A takeover of a troubled factory in east Perthshire that will save hundreds of jobs has been greeted as “fantastic news” by workers and politicians alike.

The announcement that the 2 Sisters Food Group have acquired the Vion poultry processing factory in Coupar Angus, along with various other sites across the UK in an estimated £100 million deal, has lifted dark clouds over the plant, which is understood to employ around 1,000 staff.

Concerns had been expressed in November when Dutch food company Vion stated it would be selling off its entire UK food operation, and these were exacerabated in January when 25 agency workers’ contracts were not renewed.

Vion bought the Coupar Angus site in 2008 from the Grampian Country Food Group as part of a UK-wide deal said to be worth around £400 million.

Today’s takeover news is being celebrated in Coupar Angus, with Jo Kettles, vice-chairwoman of Coupar Angus and Bendochy Community Council, telling The Courier it is “the best news” she had heard in months.

For more on this story, including full local reaction, see Tuesday’s Courier or try our new digital edition.