Loch Duart plant is a cut above, says factory manager

The 50,000 square foot former Thai Union / Edinburgh Salmon Company plant was re-equipped and refurbished after its acquisition by Loch Duart a year ago.

The factory now has better social distancing and has obtained the British Retail Consortium ‘AA’ Grade certification.

Delight by improvements

“Loch Duart invested £2 million in buying and refurbishing the factory and we now employ over 70 people,” said factory manager Russell Leslie in a press release.

“Having worked under the previous ownership and now running the plant myself, I am delighted by the improvements in staff conditions in the last year under the new ownership. 

“The factory and yard are substantial in size, allowing us to design in lots of space for working, social distancing and staff welfare.  Loch Duart has a proven track record for excellent training and career development over the last 22 years.

Fast promotion

“Our clear message to the local community is that we offer high quality jobs with good career prospects and reasonable rates of pay for the sector. For example, a line operative can be promoted to team leader within six months and career development plans are available for everyone who wants to progress.

“Previously the factory had significantly seasonal peaks, but Loch Duart is packing fresh fish, not smoked (which is mainly geared to Christmas market). Loch Duart prides itself on its long-served staff and low absence from work. We aim to be exemplary employers offering long term prospects and career development.”

External contracts

In addition to processing all of the company’s 6,000-tonne annual harvested output, the plant’s high standard of gutting and filleting work has already brought in contracts from other salmon producers, said Loch Duart. These include Organic Sea Harvest, which grows fish off the north-east coast of Skye.

Acquiring the processing plant has increased the number of people Loch Duart employs to almost 200.