Trouw Nutrition closes Belfast feed manufacturing plant

IRELAND – Trouw Nutrition has closed its Belfast manufacturing facility, ending production at its Ship Street pre-mix mill and costing 29 jobs.

The facility closed permanently on September 30, after the company announced in May that it would end manufacturing at the site.

Trouw Nutrition said the closure follows a review of its core business functions and customer service structures across the island of Ireland and forms part of a new operational and delivery model.

The company, headquartered in the Netherlands, operates 71 manufacturing plants and has a presence in 105 countries.

While manufacturing has ended in Belfast, Trouw Nutrition said its wider Irish-market operations remain in place. 

Its commercial, sales, technical-support and customer-service teams will continue to operate from its headquarters at Clarendon Dock in Belfast.

Feed products for customers across Ireland will now be supplied from Trouw Nutrition’s established facilities in Great Britain and elsewhere in Europe. 

The company will also continue its long-standing partnership with North Down Grain in Newtownards to support local supply in Northern Ireland.

Bruce Spain, Trouw Nutrition’s country manager for the UK and Ireland, said the changes had created uncertainty for employees and customers but reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the island of Ireland.

“I want to be totally clear that Trouw Nutrition is fully committed to the island of Ireland, and the changes we have made only underpin our competitiveness and leading position here,” Spain said.

He said the new operating and delivery model would help the company respond to the feed industry’s requirements for traceability and compliance while providing a more streamlined and resilient service model.

“Our expert team, commitment to innovation and the delivery of top customer service remain our strength and focus,” he added.

Trouw Nutrition said it has also strengthened its regional commercial and technical capabilities and expanded its local team in recent months.

The restructuring therefore changes where Trouw Nutrition manufactures feed products for the Irish market rather than ending its presence in Northern Ireland. 

The company will continue to focus locally on customer relationships, technical expertise and service delivery while using its wider European manufacturing network to supply products.

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