Major business that supplies supermarkets across UK on brink of collapse after a century of trading with 90 jobs at risk
A MAJOR food company could cease operations after more than a century trading with supermarkets and restaurants across the UK.
Over 90 employees from the company have been informed they could lose their jobs in the business.
Roberts of Port Dinorwic has been facing significant economic challenges, despite being a successful trading firm for over 100 years.
The Gywnedd-based company near Caernarfon may subsequently need to close down unless a buyer can be found.
Directors Sara Roberts and Miriam Williams have linked the company’s decline to rapid changes that have occurred in the food production industry.
In addition, it has seen soaring prices in ingredients reaching as high as 40-60%, as well as consumer changes and constantly escalating operational costs.
Co-Director Sara Roberts said: “These dramatic increases, coupled with short-term pricing from suppliers and shorter contract lengths from our customers, have made it almost impossible for a business of our size to plan effectively.”
Since being founded in 1924, the company is recorded to have had a multi-million pound turnover and a long-standing industry presence in the past.
It started with Thomas Roberts making pork pies in a small butchers shop in Port Dinorwic.
The firm became known for its loyal and highly-trained workforce, which supplied a wide range of well-established UK brands to supermarkets and restaurants.
Co-Director Miriam Williams added: “We have a limited runway to make this happen, but we are committed to finding a solution.
“Our employees are deeply dedicated, and we have an established customer base that trusts us. This makes us an ideal candidate for acquisition by a strategic partner in the food production or retail industries.”
Closure has been considered a last resort for the directors, who are hoping a strategic buyer can be found in coming weeks to secure the future of the business.