Stockton-on-Tees-based Cleveland Meat Company appointed administrators on Monday (July 24) in a bid to sell its assets, it was revealed this week. It came after it was banned from operating by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), from June 30 for “serious deficiencies”.
Cleveland Meat Company, which had a red meat slaughterhouse, cutting plant cold store and a processing plant, had traded for 44 years before entering administration this week.
Joint administrator, and partner at RSM in Newcastle, Steven Ross said: “The company ceased trading shortly before our appointment [on July 24], and the majority of employees were made redundant last week.
‘Generate as much value as possible’
“Regrettably, it has not been possible to recommence trade, and we are working with the stakeholders of Cleveland Meat Company to ensure that we generate as much value as possible for the creditors.”
The administrators were also assisting workers to make Insolvency Service claims for any money they were owed, Ross added.
RSM urged anybody interested in the assets to contact it on 01912 557 000.
The meat processor entered administration after the FSA suspended it from production for serious deficiencies. The suspension was intended to last until the end of July, but was lifted on July 14 after the FSA was satisfied the deficiencies were resolved, it said.
‘Serious deficiencies’
An FSA spokeswoman told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “The FSA has a duty to keep approvals under review to ensure that meat establishment operate at minimum required standards. As part of this process, we undertook a review of Cleveland Meat Company. This review found evidence of serious deficiencies.
“We accepted [the company’s] guarantees provided in regard to the approval to operate as a slaughterhouse, cutting plant and cold store would resolve the serious deficiencies within a reasonable time period. In line with our policy, the approval for these activities was suspended until the serious deficiencies were resolved.”
Cleveland Meat Company supplied meat to wholesalers across the UK and Europe. It had an annual turnover of about £38M.
Meanwhile, last week more than 50 jobs were lost at a confectionery manufacturer after it entered administration.
Cleveland Meat Company – at a glance
- Entered administration
- Appointed administrators on July 24
- “Majority” of workforce made redundant