Manildra Meat Company closed its doors on Friday leaving 150 permanent and 70 casual staff unemployed in a move that won’t only affect Cootamundra, but Young too with many local workers employed by the company.
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In a move that has brought back local’s memories of when Young’s Burrangong Meat Processors closed in 2010, Manildra Meat Company in Cootamundra announced February 17 in a meeting with workers the company announced the closure of Cootamundra’s meat processing plant with the final day of processing to be Friday, February 24.
Manildra Meat Company General Manager Jason Graham said the decision had been extremely difficult with the group’s main focus is now on the welfare and future employment opportunities of the employees.
“We cannot continue to maintain a viable business in the current industry environment, particularly given the record high livestock prices and the inability of our customers to absorb these price increases,” he said.
“All employees will be paid their full entitlements as outlined in their employment agreements.
“We will be organising on-going on-site assistance for our employees in financial advice, job search skills, resume assistance and counselling services.”
Mr Graham also assured suppliers and producers that all outstanding financial obligations would be met.
Manildra Meat Company will not be selling the plant instead they will look for any change in the circumstances that have forced the business to close.
“We acknowledge that this decision will have a wider impact on the Cootamundra district and we will continue to assess the industry dynamics with the intention of processing again,” Mr Graham said.
According to the company a small number of employees will continue to work the plant maintaining the site.
Manildra Meat Company purchased the processing plant from GM Scott in 2014 and in what could potentially be seen as a major blow parted ways with major client Woolworths who contracted with a lamb processor in Junee late last year.
Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson released a statement for the Manildra Meats Company closure.
“This is a great loss for the electorate and of course, for the some 220 full-time and casual staff at Cootamundra,” she said.
“Abattoir operations can be a volatile industry especially when cattle prices are at the level they are at now. My thoughts are with the individuals and families as they go through this tough time.”
