Glaslough company to close with 36 jobs 'at risk'

The parent company of BD Foods in Glaslough has said the plant is to close. It's understood that 36 jobs "at risk" as a result of the closure.

The Henderson Group confirmed yesterday that it is consolidating a number of its businesses.

BD Foods in Glaslough will close under the plan it said. Henderson Food Service acquired BD Foods in 2018.

The business's Glaslough operation employs 48 people.

The food supplier firm was founded by the parents of retired Ulster and Ireland rugby star Tommy Bowe.

The Henderson Group said another of its businesses, Foodco which has distribution depots in Ashbourne, Co Meath and Lisburn, Co Antrim will also close under the plan.

It is unclear how many jobs will be lost at Foodco but the company said that around 115 jobs may be a risk across the various companies.

Henderson Foodservice's MD Cathal Geoghegan said today that the Covid-19 crisis is having a severe impact on the business.

"As a company operating within the all-island foodservice sector, the ongoing crisis has particularly impacted us, and has seen our business activities severely curtailed due to the restrictions, which have been placed upon the operational ability of many of our customers."

The company said by the end of July it will be operating all of the companies out of its base in Mallusk outside Belfast.

Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation, Heather Humphreys, said the news is "extremely disappointing for the hard-working employees of the company. Without a doubt, it is a blow for the local area".

She confirmed that she had spoken with Mr Geoghegan who confirmed the plan to consolidate a number of its businesses, including BD Foods in Glaslough and the Foodco distribution depots in Ashbourne, Co Meath and Lisburn, Co. Antrim. "The businesses will now become part of the Henderson Foodservice business in Mallusk, which will unfortunately result in job losses," said the Cavan Monaghan TD.

She added: "Mr Geoghegan highlighted that this was an extremely difficult decision for the owners to make and that it is no reflection on the staff. However, COVID-19 is having a severe impact on the business and they felt that they were left with no other option."

Expanding, Deputy Humphreys said: "He confirmed that of the 48 jobs based in Glaslough, 36 are at risk. The remaining 12 jobs make up the bulk of the group’s sales team. These jobs will be retained and the staff will continue in their roles whilst remaining resident in County Monaghan."

"Of the 36 jobs that are at risk, as many as possible will be redeployed to the logistics end of the business. The company is currently looking at alternative logistics supply arrangements to facilitate this transition. In terms of the jobs that will ultimately be lost, the company has committed to working closely with the State services to help those affected to find alternative employment."

Minister Humphreys said that the Government will make every State support available to the affected employees.