Jobs are saved as abattoirs firm sold

Oct 4 2007 By Christopher Knox, The Journal

THE sale of the company that runs the last two abattoirs on Tyneside has safeguarded 60 jobs and put paid to fears they would be lost with the retirement of its owner.

W&K Holdings, which runs abattoirs in Burradon, North Tyneside, and Felling in Gateshead, has been bought by Northern Irish meat processing company Linden Foods for an undisclosed sum.

Fears for the future of the Tyneside company and its workforce grew after owner and managing director John Williamson announced earlier this year that he was to retire and sell the business.

Gerry Maguire, managing director at Linden Foods, said: “Mr Williamson was concerned that the business might fall into the wrong hands and was considering closing it down if he couldn’t find a suitable buyer. Fortunately Linden Foods met his requirements and we are pleased to be carrying the business forward.”

Linden Foods plans to step up work at the two sites which they say have been running under capacity for the last few years. It said this would lead to more jobs, although it could not yet say how many.

Mr Williamson said: “Disposing of the business to Linden Foods means that the future of the two abattoirs has been safeguarded. Linden have the resources and experience to take the business to the next level.”

W&K was set up in 1954 with a single abattoir in Whitley Bay, which was subsequently shut and the business relocated to Burradon in 1982. The second abattoir was set up in Scotswood in 1968, and the business moved to Felling in 1981.

Linden chairman David Graham said: “We are delighted to have concluded this acquisition. We see a bright future for both the W&K businesses within our group and are keen to develop both operations.”

A closure of the abattoirs would have put an added burden on farmers in the region who would have had to take their livestock further for slaughter.

National Farmers Union spokeswoman Rachel Gillbanks said: “This is extremely good news, not only for W&K, but for farming in the Tyne and Wear area. The area is a massive cultivator of livestock and it is good to hear that the abattoirs have not had to close down like so many others have done over recent years.”

Steven Powdrill, North-East general manager at the English Beef and Lamb Executive, said: “With the increased import of foreign meat into the North-East, a number of abattoirs have had to close down over recent years.

“It is imperative that customers have the choice to purchase locally produced meat. The purchase of these two abattoirs will ensure that choice is maintained for people in the region.”

The deal was overseen by chartered accountants unw LLP, which also
advised W&K for more than a decade.

Andrew Wilson, a partner at unw, said: “This is a great deal for John, for Linden, for the employees in the business and also for the farming sector in the North-East of England.

“John was anxious on his retirement to leave the business in the hands of someone capable of developing it still further and in the Linden Food Group we have in many respects found the ideal acquirer.”