Dutch food company Vion has announced its plans to sell UK businesses, which employ 13,000 people in 38 facilities across the country.
The company noted that this move is a part of its strategy to focus on core markets in Netherlands and Germany and develop its global ingredients business.
Vion said that the decision follows a detailed analysis of the markets in which the company is active.
Vion owns the following businesses in the UK - Key Country Foods, Tranfield and Grampian Country Food. It provides lamb, beef, pork and chicken products to food retailing, food manufacturing and food service customers
Vion UK chairman Peter Barr said that working with its advisors Rabobank/Rothschild, the company has already initiated detailed discussions with a several interested parties, regarding the acquisition of the various parts of the UK business and these are progressing well.
"The sale process will be completed in a smooth and orderly fashion to ensure business continuity for our employees, agricultural and other suppliers and our customers," Barr added.
In October, the company began the closure of Halls of Broxburn meat processing facility in West Lothian after rejecting two last-minute bids for the business. The facility is expected to close by February, leading to a loss of nearly 1,700 jobs.
