DRUMMONDVILLE, QUEBEC – Giannone Poultry management has announced the definitive closure of its poultry processing plant in Drummondville, Quebec. Giannone acquired the plant from Maple Leaf Foods Inc. in July. The company informed 70 employees affected by the closure at a meeting on Oct. 30, as well as by personal letter. The closure is set for Nov. 6.

The Quebec Labour Standards Act requires each employee affected receive severance pay. In addition, Giannone Poultry will also set up a reassignment committee to offer jobs at its St-Cuthbert plant and to assist employees in their job search. The company has made arrangements to fulfill existing supply contracts with poultry farmers serving the Drummondville facility and will now focus its activities at the St-Cuthbert plant in Lanaudière.

“This difficult decision follows a thorough review of the condition of the plant's facilities,” said Bruno Giannone, vice president and chief executive officer of Giannone Poultry. “The management of Giannone Poultry concluded that the investments required to modernize, renovate the infrastructure and update the equipment of this plant would be too large to ensure its long-term viability. We will do everything in our power to provide the necessary support to employees affected by this decision. The poultry farmers who supply this plant have also been informed of this news and the arrangements regarding their business relationship with our company.”

Giannone Poultry was founded in 1989 and specializes in slaughtering and cutting poultry. It serves both the Quebec and Canadian markets as well as north-eastern United States and employs more than 250 people company wide.