A ‘bootiful’ move?

Owner of the 2 Sisters Food group, Ranjit Boparan – also known as the “Chicken King” – has taken over turkey firm Bernard Matthews, a move which will save 2,000 jobs.

Under a sale known as a pre-pack administration, the iconic turkey producer, known for its advertising catchphrase “Bootiful”, has had its assets transferred to Boparan holdings from Bernard Matthews’ current owner, private equity company Rutland Partners.

Bernard Matthews will eventually be integrated into the Private Office of Ranjit Singh Boparan.

Rutland Partners confirmed that under the deal, the 2,000-strong workforce would be maintained without any job losses.

Bernard Matthews has been a loss-making company for years and continued to suffer under the aegis of Rutland Partners which acquired the company three years ago. Rutland said that it was confident the turkey firm would be better positioned for success under a large poultry company.

“Whilst disappointed that the business has continued to struggle during our ownership we are pleased that it has now been acquired by Ranjit Boparan with access to a large, UK poultry group and that all the jobs have been preserved,” Rutland Partners said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Boparan’s private office said they were hopeful for the future of the company.

“We intend to respect and build on the 66-year heritage of a much-loved British brand and crucially help to deliver Christmas 2016, which would have been at risk without our intervention,” the spokesperson said. “We have a proven track record in turning around businesses and we aim to make Bernard Matthews great again.

“This deal is ultimately good news for UK consumers and our customers, who will benefit from a secure supply of British turkey from one of the most recognisable brands in the UK.”

Cautious welcome

Unite, which represents 800 workers, amounting to nearly half of the Bernard Matthews workforce, cautiously welcomed the news that jobs would be preserved but argued that many questions remained.

Unite officials are meeting with management this morning (September 21).

“The announcement that Bernard Matthews has been sold by its owners Rutland Partners to the Private Office of Ranjit Singh Boparan appears to be good news for the 2,000-strong workforce,” said Unite regional officer Steve Harley. “We are giving the news a cautious welcome.

“However, in takeover situations, there are always matters that need to be clarified,” he added. “Unite is meeting the company today where searching questions will be asked on future employment, pay, and terms and conditions.

“We will also be asking about the status of the pension scheme under the new owners, although it is expected that our members won’t be affected in this respect by today’s takeover.

“Bernard Matthews is a major employer in East Anglia and the union wants to work constructively with the new ownership to ensure the continuing success of this iconic company.”

The much-loved Bernard Matthews company, which was founded by its namesake in 1950, all started when Matthews bought 20 turkey eggs and an incubator. It would in time grow into a turkey empire and now, despite financial woes, grows and processes 7m turkeys in the UK each year.