Giannone Poultry announces closure of poultry processing plant

Poultry processor Giannone Poultry has announced the closure of its plant in Drummondville, Quebec, recently acquired from Maple Leaf Foods.

Scheduled for 6 November, the closure affects 70 employees all of whom have been informed of the decision.

Each employee will receive severance pay, and Giannone Poultry says that it will set up a reassignment committee to offer jobs at its St-Cuthbert plant in Lanaudière and to assist employees in their job searches.

Giannone Poultry will now concentrate its activities at the St-Cuthbert plant. The company has made arrangements to honour existing supply contracts with the poultry farmers serving the Drummondville facility.

“This difficult decision follows a thorough review of the condition of the plant’s facilities,” said Bruno Giannone, vice president and CEO of Giannone Poultry.

“The management of Giannone Poultry concluded that the investments required to modernise, renovate the infrastructure and update the equipment of this plant would be too large to ensure its long-term viability.

“We will do everything in our power to provide the necessary support to employees affected by this decision. The poultry farmers who supply this plant have also been informed of this news and the arrangements regarding their business relationship with our company.”