Hundreds of jobs on the line at fish plant

UNSUSTAINABLE losses over a two-year period forced one of the biggest employers in Dingwall to pull the plug on its fish processing plant, placing the future of 260 jobs in doubt.

The Journal understands that the Edinburgh Salmon Company, which is owned by Européenne de la Mer, may have carried losses of up to £5 million over two years at its Dingwall Business Park site, in part as a result of the rise in the price of salmon and stringent contracts it was tied in to with some of its biggest customers.

As politicians, development agencies and council officials joined forces in a bid to help find a seller or soften the jobs blow, the company would only say that it was engaging with public agencies since its bombshell announcement last week.

The company said it continued "to suffer heavy losses as a result of highly challenging market conditions and industry trends".

Dingwall and Seaforth ward councillor Alister Mackinnon, said: "The losses, I believe, are unsustainable. I have been told it has nothing to do with Brexit and that the price of salmon has gone through the roof. He said suppliers’ margins have been contracting."

It’s understood the firm is honouring pre-existing contracts up until Christmas.

He believes the company is doing its best to look after its employees and keep them in the loop but admitted: "It’s a worrying time. I hope with joint efforts a buyer can be found as it’s a great facility. The best hope might be that at least some staff are kept on if a new buyer can be found and maybe scale things down to begin with. It would be a huge loss to Ross-shire. Staff come from all over the county and not just Dingwall and many have been very loyal over many years."

A 45-day consultation period with staff is now under way. The firm has pledged to explore all possible divestment possibilities "in an attempt to avoid, reduce, and/or mitigate the potential impacts upon its valued employees".

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