Drummonds grain firm to close with loss of 44 jobs

Forty four jobs are to be lost in the northeast after grain company Drummonds said today it was closing down its operations.

A statement from Drummonds, which is owned by Greencore, said it was closing its six branches in Clonee, Navan, Kells, Drogheda, Ardee and Knockbridge. The closure will result in 44 redundancies.

Drummonds announced the closure of its Enfield branch last year, which came into effect in recent weeks.

Operations will cease on a phased basis with five of the six branches being closed by June 30th, and the Drogheda branch will close October 30th.

Managing Director of Drummonds Dermot Rowan said: “This difficult but sadly unavoidable decision was taken post an extensive review of the long-term viability of this business.

“I would like to thank all employees for their commitment and dedication to the business over many years and I would also like to thank all our customers for their loyalty and support”.

IFA National Grain Committee Chairman Colum McDonnell said decision was a severe blow to growers in the north midlands and northeast regions. “Many farmers have already sown winter crops for Drummonds for the 2009 harvest and may not now have a home for their grain this harvest,” he said.

Mr McDonnell said Drummonds was by far the largest purchaser of grain in the Dublin, Louth and Meath area.

“The loss of drying and storage facilities at the seven depots will present major logistical problems for growers in the 2009 harvest. Many growers are now questioning the future viability of arable farming in this region.”

The IFA is meeting Drummonds and Greencore management in the coming days.