Deans cuts back packing operation

An excess of capacity combined with falling egg sales has caused Deans to further rationalise its packing operation.

Closing will be Dereham in Norfolk, the smallest of Deans’ eight packing centres with a throughput of around 6,000 cases a week. The centre, which has been dedicated to the packing of free range and organic eggs, was originally set up by BFREPA council member Jeff Vergerson under the Countryside Free Range banner.

Deans say the size of the Dereham operation was putting the company at a competitive disadvantage. Supplying farms in East Anglia will not be affected by the closure, with eggs switched to one of the company’s other packing operations. This will safeguard the jobs of Dereham’s drivers but around forty packing centre staff are likely to lose their jobs.

Further job losses will result from the decision to scale back the company’s Scottish operation at Thornton, Fife, which is responsible for supplying retailers across Scotland and Northern England. The centre’s current capacity could be cut by as much as forty per cent. Falling demand for cage eggs is cited as one of the reasons behind the move.

Scotland still remains a key strategic area for the company and it plans to invest around £3m to upgrade its agricultural operation. This will see the development of enriched cage units on the Thornton site. With direct conveying of feed from the Company’s mill and eggs to the packing centre, this development will increase efficiency while enhancing bird welfare, says Deans.