Nestlé Purina Petcare (Purina) has announced that it is selling its factory in Aintree, Merseyside to Fold Hill Foods – a family-run pet food producer, based in Lincolnshire – with the aim of protecting and growing future production on-site.
As part of the sale agreement, Purina is entering into a four year co-manufacturing agreement with Fold Hill who will continue to manufacture Bonio and Winalot Shapes, two of the biggest brands in UK dog biscuits, as well as biscuits for Purina’s European business. Fold Hill will also introduce production of Fold Hill branded products, helping the factory increase overall volumes which will mean improved production costs and in-turn improve the long-term efficiency and viability of the site.
The sale is taking place under the ‘Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006’ (TUPE), meaning all Purina employees at the site will transfer to Fold Hill in accordance with TUPE obligations. There will be no redundancies or job losses as part of the deal.
Calum Macrae, Regional Director for Purina in the UK & Ireland said: “We believe this offers the best long-term solution – both for the site and our employees. Reaching a sale agreement with Fold Hill means being able to unlock the full commercial potential of the factory.
“Crucially, the guaranteed co-manufacturing contract built-in to the sale, means we’re best protecting the future of all our skilled and dedicated employees who work there, along with the much-loved brands we produce at the site. Our Aintree employees will have the opportunity to develop within a business that is looking to grow overall production within the factory, improving its efficiency, viability and long-term stability.”
Purina will now enter into a period of collective consultation and it is anticipated that this process and the completion of the sale to Fold Hill, will take approximately five weeks.