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Benbecula salmon factory shuts for good            4/5/11

 

 

 

 

West Minch Salmon’s Gramsdale processing factory on Benbecula has closed for good after its new owners decided to ditch growing organic salmon.

 

Scottish Salmon Company which took over the West Minch’s operations last July has confirmed it was closing down the factory Gramsdale facility it inherited from the purchase.

 

It is pressing ahead to integrate the Uist-based fish farmer into the main company and plans to expand growing non-organic salmon.

 

A few weeks ago the firm denied to Hebrides News it had plans for closure or redundancies even though the move was soon hardly a secret on Uist.

 

But now the firm has confirmed the closure which means seven overseas workers have lost their jobs and returned to Bulgaria. Six others including office staff are being offered assistance to find new jobs.

 

If they wish to relocate there may be positions for them at the firm’s large Stornoway factory where all the company’s Western Isles salmon will now be processed.

 

Stewart McLelland, Chief Operating Officer at The Scottish Salmon Company, said: “Last year the shares in West Minch Salmon Ltd were bought by The Scottish Salmon Company as part of the overall business strategy to ensure year-round production, meet customer requirements and enable the development of a Hebridean brand.

 

“From the end of April, West Minch Salmon will have fulfilled its current cycle of processing organic salmon and hence the organic production will cease.

 

“The Scottish Salmon Company and West Minch Salmon Ltd have been actively seeking alternative solutions for the processing facility at Gramsdale without success.

 

“We are working with the six remaining staff offering assistance and ongoing support to secure new employment.

 

“The farms that had been used for organic production will now follow the same high standards of care, biological control and environmental security as others owned by The Scottish Salmon Company, supplying our recently refurbished processing plant in Stornoway. 

 

“We are investing over £5 million in the West Minch marine sites and all 22 operatives in West Minch marine and freshwater sites are transferring to The Scottish Salmon Company.

 

“With the planned development of farming operations over the coming years, additional employment will be created in these areas.

 

“The Scottish Salmon Company aims to operate a viable, sustainable and long-term business which will make an enhanced contribution to the local economy and continue to provide long-term benefit in the communities in which we operate.”

 

The Scottish Salmon Company is the largest independent producer of Scottish salmon, currently producing over 24,000 tonnes a year – approximately 20% of Scottish salmon - for both local and international markets.

 

West Minch Salmon Limited was established in 1985 by Angus MacMillan.  

 

He sold the factory and all 11 sites in South Harris, North Uist and Benbecula last summer.