FrieslandCampina has announced that it is closing its production facility in Rijkevoort, the Netherlands, and making all 86 employees redundant.
The Dutch dairy cooperative says that the plant, which makes products including film-ripened cheese, will shut down on 1 October 2020.
According to FrieslandCampina, the decision to permanently cease operations at Rijkevoort is due to a mismatch between the current production capacity of its Dairy Essentials division and expected future milk ‘developments’. Cost considerations are also said to have played an important role.
No new jobs will be created at other FrieslandCampina sites as a result of the closure. The employees and trade unions have been informed, and the company says that it has solicited its works council for advice.
FrieslandCampina added that employees who qualify for its ‘social plan’ will be supported in finding a new job within or outside the company.
Hans Meeuwis, president of FrieslandCampina Dairy Essentials, said: “We are constantly looking for ways to further improve our position with regard to milk processing, value creation and cost optimisation.
“Of course we do this with all interests in consideration and with the long term in mind. After careful consideration, this has led to the intention to close our site in Rijkevoort and to relocate production elsewhere in our network.
“I am aware that this decision has a major impact on the employees and we will of course support them as best we can in this process.”
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