Feed manufacturer ABN has confirmed it is reviewing its UK operations and manufacturing footprint, as union pressure mounts over the future of several sites and the potential impact on staff.
Responding to concerns raised by Unite the Union, ABN general manager Jonny Lester said the business is taking “difficult but necessary actions” to safeguard its long-term sustainability.
“Following a comprehensive review of our operations and manufacturing footprint, we are taking difficult but necessary actions to secure the sustainability of our business,” Lester said. “This includes exploring multiple options for the future of affected sites.”
He added that the company is continuing to assess outcomes before confirming any final decisions, particularly around staffing. “It is premature to comment on potential redundancies before that process has concluded,” an ABN spokesperson said.
ABN, part of AB Agri, stressed that it is focused on maintaining supply continuity for livestock and poultry customers during the review.
“The actions we are taking reinforce our commitment to delivering high-quality and reliable animal feed products, today and for the future,” Lester said.
The response follows a statement from Unite, which has called for greater transparency over the future of five feed mill sites across England. The union claims more than 500 workers could be affected, including mill operatives, drivers and engineers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticised the company’s handling of communications with staff, saying workers were being left “in limbo” without clear timelines or assurances.
The union linked the situation to ABN’s loss of a major supply contract in 2025, which it says has contributed to uncertainty across the business.
In its response, ABN acknowledged the uncertainty facing employees and said it is working to support staff throughout the process.
“We are acutely aware of the uncertainty that this ongoing process creates for our colleagues and are working hard to support them with care, clarity and respect as we work towards its conclusion,” Lester said.
He added that the company would continue to communicate updates “as transparently as possible” as decisions are finalised.