2 Sisters seeks 100 more workers at East Anglian sites as it ramps up production amid crisis
2 Sisters Food Group in Flixton Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN - Credit: sarah lucy brown
A food giant is bolstering its workforce in Suffolk and Norfolk as the coronavirus outbreak sparks “unprecedented demand” among consumers.
2 Sisters Food Group in Flixton Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN - Credit: sarah lucy brown
2 Sisters Food Group wants 100 more workers across its poultry factories in Flixton, near Bungay, and in Thetford.
Flixton, which processes chicken, currently employs 460 people and enjoys ‘Model Ethical Factory’ status with high-end supermarket chain Marks & Spencer. 2 Sisters’ flagship Thetford site, which opened in 2011 and produces “added value” poultry products including cooked and breaded ones, has an 810-strong workforce.
Ronald Kers, chief executive of the group, has launched a nationwide “feed the nation” recruitment campaign across social media.
The firm is owned by Ranjit Singh Boparan, who also owns Bernard Matthews turkey company in Norfolk. 2 Sisters employs 20,000 in the UK and Europe, and processes one-third of all chicken consumed in the UK. It is also the UK’s largest ready-meals producer, with three quarters of the UK population eating its food every day.
Ronald Kers, chief executive of 2 Sisters Food Group Picture: 2 SISTERS FOOD GROUP - Credit: Archant
“2 Sisters’ job is literally to feed the nation,” said Mr Kers
“Getting food to people has never been so important. As we come together as a country to fight the coronavirus, we need everybody’s help to keep our factories running.
Most Read
- 1 Richest people in East Anglia revealed on Sunday Times Rich List
- 2 'You have broken us!' - New cafe at Suffolk beauty spot on huge demand
- 3 'We are both in love' - Ed Sheeran announces birth of second daughter
- 4 Indiana Jones-inspired metal detectorist finds £65k Roman hoard
- 5 Colchester gets city status - fuelling disappointment over no Ipswich bid
- 6 Severe delays on major Suffolk route after crash
- 7 Thetford homes left with 'significant' damage following blaze
- 8 Big sales, Bosmans and 'mutual consent' - Why contracts are a balancing act
- 9 My Suffolk Life: ‘We had to move to Suffolk to be together’
- 10 School apologises for GCSE paper error as it falls to inadequate
“We urgently need people so we can keep delivering a full range of products to supermarkets across the country. We are recruiting now for a wide range of factory and logistics jobs up and down the country. Please join us and help feed the nation.”
While the company faces very high demand, the coronavirus crisis means it is also having to deal with higher-than-usual absentee levels due to the need for self-isolation.
2 Sisters Food Group in Flixton Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN - Credit: sarah lucy brown
“This has brought about an urgent need for vacancies, both permanent and temporary roles,” said Mr Kers.
“We have seen this across food and retail. We are hopeful that given the devastating effect this current crisis has had on the leisure and hospitality sectors, we can reach out to these people and persuade them that a career in the food industry can be both fulfilling and enjoyable.”
Last week all UK food sector workers were designated ‘key worker’ status by government.
2 Sisters Food Group in Flixton. Mark Caston on the factory floor Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN - Credit: sarah lucy brown
