Two poultry companies are considering building the most
advanced chicken processing plant in Suffolk handling two million
birds a year.
The proposed plant, outlined in a scoping opinion document put
together by agents
Plandescil, would create
up to 900 jobs in Suffolk, according to a
report in the local press.
Banham Poultry and
Vion, who are
behind the joint venture on the former Eye airfield site, are said
to be driven by a need to "rationalise and modernise" their
existing facilities.
The report adds that "scoping opinion document has been
distributed to stakeholders in advance of a planning application
being submitted and seeks feedback on design and environmental
issues."
It comes just weeks after new company results showed a dramatic
turnaround in Banham Poultry's fortunes, following a restructuring
at the top of the company.
The changes meant that the company was able to report a monthly
profit last September for the first time in 18 months. Debts have
been slashed and sales in the year to this September were up from
£80m to £90m. Trading profit in 2008/09 is forecast to be more than
£4m, as opposed to last year's loss of nearly £2m.
As a result, the company has been
shortlisted in the private company category in the Institute
for Turnaround's annual awards, with the winner due to be announced
on 3 December.
