Coupar jobs a reward for local 'hard work'
The announcement that 150 jobs are to be created in Coupar Angus has been hailed as "great news" for Perthshire.
- By Dave Lord
- Published in the Courier : 09.08.10
- Published online : 09.08.10 @ 08.26am
With the country still in the grips of the most devastating economic downturn for generations, news of food group Vion's plan has received an extremely warm welcome.
The firm's chicken processing plant in the town already employs more than 600 people.
Formerly owned by Grampian Foods, the factory was bought over by Dutch meat group Vion in June 2008 in a deal believed to have been worth around £400 million.
Responding to the growing demand for locally produced food, the company now hatches and rears its own chickens on site using feed from a nearby mill.
The new jobs follow a multi-million pound investment programme which included the installation of a new finished packing line at Coupar Angus.
Those filling the 150 vacancies will be involved in chicken packaging and processing.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said the new jobs represented a "vital boost" for the area.
"This announcement of 150 new jobs is great news for Coupar Angus and great news for Perthshire," he said.
"The investment proves that Vion view its Coupar Angus staff as among the best in the country."
Mr Fraser was not surprised to learn the business was expanding and heaped praise on local workers.
"In previous visits to the Coupar Angus facility, I have always been impressed with the workforce," he added.
"I would like to congratulate all the staff on their hard work, which inevitably has helped persuade Vion to increase its operations in Perthshire.
"The investment of a new finished packing line in the Coupar Angus facility means that Vion view this as one of their most important facilities."
Meanwhile, North Tayside MSP John Swinney said the new jobs proved there were "reasons to be optimistic" about Scotland's economic prospects.
News of the Coupar Angus expansion capped a good week for Vion as the firm was also awarded Regional Selective Assistance funding.
It is envisaged that the economic injection will safeguard 234 existing jobs at Cambuslang, near Glasgow.
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