November 6, 2024

 

Van Loon Group to close Roosendaal, Netherlands pork plant amid market challenges

Dutch meat processor Van Loon Group has announced plans to close its pork plant in Roosendaal, Netherlands, operated by its Best Star Meat division, at the end of March next year.

 

Production and logistical operations from the site will be gradually moved to other Van Loon facilities, starting January 1, 2025, as part of the company's efforts to streamline operations.

 

In a statement on LinkedIn, the family-owned company shared that the sales, livestock, and support functions currently located at Roosendaal will transfer to its sites in Son of Best by July 1. The company explained that the decision follows a detailed review of market conditions and the need to enhance operational efficiency.

 

Robert van Ballegooijen, Group CEO of Van Loon, commented on the decision: "The production location in Roosendaal has been instrumental to the success of Best Star Meat Pork for many years. However, in a contracting and highly competitive pig market, maintaining an efficient supply chain and production process is essential to ensure the ongoing competitiveness of Best Star Meat Pork and to sustain investments in making our operations more sustainable."

 

Headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Van Loon operates through 11 business divisions across pork, beef, ready meals, and plant-based products, serving retail, foodservice, and B2B markets. Although the company has not disclosed the number of employees impacted by the Roosendaal plant closure, it acknowledged the impact on the workforce.

 

Van Loon stated: "The closure of the Roosendaal facility will naturally affect the employees involved. Best Star Meat Pork is committed to its responsibility and has worked with the Joint Works Council to develop a comprehensive social plan. This plan focuses on a 'job-to-job' transition, offering support in the form of personalised training and consultations."

 

The Roosendaal facility processes pork for Van Loon's in-house divisions and supplies industrial customers. Van Loon is yet to confirm specific details about the number of staff affected and has not provided further information on the competitive pressures within the pork market.

 

Challenges in the pork industry are affecting other processors as well. Danish Crown, another major meat processor, recently announced the loss of approximately 500 jobs, citing a crisis stemming from reduced availability of slaughter pigs and rising costs. Earlier in the year, Danish Crown also implemented worker cuts and closures at its Ringsted site.

 

Meanwhile, Vion Food Group, based in the Netherlands, is restructuring by withdrawing from the German pork market to concentrate on the Benelux region. Last year, Vion reported a financial loss attributed to strategic adjustments within its business.

 

-      Just Food