FrieslandCampina informed its employees today of its intention to close the production facility in Rijkevoort, the Netherlands on 1 October 2020. As a result all 86 jobs will be redundant. The production facility in Rijkevoort produces, among other things, film-ripened cheese.
The decision to definitely close the Rijkevoort site was taken because of the current production capacity of FrieslandCampina Dairy Essentials in relation to new insights into future milk volume developments. Moreover, cost considerations play an important role.
Hans Meeuwis, President FrieslandCampina Dairy Essentials: “We are constantly looking for ways to further improve our position with regard to milk processing, value creation and cost optimisation. Of course, we do this with all interests in consideration and with the long term in mind. After careful consideration, this has led to the intention to close our site in Rijkevoort and to relocate production elsewhere in our network. I am aware that this decision has a major impact on the employees and we will of course support them as best we can in this process.”
Social plan
As a result of the closure, no new jobs will be created at other sites of FrieslandCampina. The employees and trade unions have been informed and the works council has been asked for advice. The Social Plan of FrieslandCampina will apply to employees with an employment agreement for an indefinite time. FrieslandCampina will support the employees involved in finding a new job within or outside FrieslandCampina.