Pilgrim Europe plans to leave 160 at risk of job losses

One of Cornwall’s largest employees has announced it could put around 160 jobs at risk. Pilgrim’s Europe has confirmed it plans several operational changes at two of its Cornish sites.

With factories in Redruth and Bodmin – which were formerly Tulip – the international meat and poultry company is one of Cornwall’s biggest employers. It says the changes are the result of a business review to ensure the company is sustainable long-term.

It said the proposals will help the sites remain “fully optimized” and ensure they run “as efficiently and effectively” as possible. In a full statement, Pilgrim’s Europe said both sites will be operational, including a new multi-million pound slow-cooked facility at the Bodmin site.

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A spokesperson said: “Pilgrim’s Europe has today proposed a number of operational changes at its Redruth and Bodmin sites. If accepted, these changes would put around 160 roles at risk of redundancy.

“The proposals form part of the business’ ongoing review of its operational footprint to ensure that all sites are fully optimized and help deliver a sustainable long-term future for Pilgrim’s Europe. The proposed changes will ensure a skill base that will enable the sites to meet current and future customer demand as efficiently and effectively as possible.

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“Redruth will retain its status as Pilgrim’s Europe’s bacon and gammon center of excellence and the company will also invest in creating a new multi-million pound slow-cooked facility at the Bodmin site.

“The new slow-cooked facility will build upon existing slow-cooked operations within the business, enhancing capability and capacity. The culinary-led operation will utilize state-of-the-art processing methods and technology expertise from within the Pilgrim’s Pride global business .

“Pilgrim’s Europe will now enter into collective consultation with colleagues at both sites, and those affected will be supported throughout the consultation process. This will include exploring opportunities for redeployment to other sites within the Pilgrim’s Europe business.”

Ivanor Clasen, Pilgrim’s Europe business unit director for added value, said: “We don’t make these proposals lightly but, to ensure a long-term sustainable future for our business, we have to make strategic decisions that allow us to meet evolving customer and consumer demand.

“Making these changes will help us protect the majority of jobs at both sites and deliver on our strategy to be the best strategic partner for our customers, producing the best and most innovative products for consumers.

“We fully recognize that this will be a difficult time for those valued colleagues who are impacted and will provide them with every support we can throughout the consultation process.”

Pilgrims is known for its job losses and mass advertisements. In 2023 the company advertised for 50 jobs in February, 90 new jobs at its Redruth site in May and then 70 more in November. Since 2016 it has confirmed hundreds of job losses in total.

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