Tim Bateson and Will Wright from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to Tillery Valley Foods Limited on 17 May 2023.
The prepared meals firm had experienced significant inflation across its cost base over the past 12 months, driven principally by increases in food and energy prices. This in turn has had a detrimental impact on cashflow.
Directors worked with their advisors and key stakeholders to find a solution – including marketing the business for sale and agreeing increased prices with customers – but not solvent solution could be found.
Impact on the community
Commenting on the administration, joint administrator and Interpath Advisory director Tim Bateson said: “This is a tremendously sad day for the Company’s dedicated employees, a number of whom have worked for the Company for over three decades, as well as for the wider community in Abertillery.
“Our immediate priority will be to provide support to all those who have been made redundant, including supporting them with the information required to submit claims to the Redundancy Payments Office, and we are also aiming to host workshops in conjunction with local employment agencies and employers.”
Reportedly the largest private sector employer in Abertillery, Tillery Valley Foods has supplied frozen meals to hospitals and schools for since the 80s. The company was owned by Sodexo until 2021, when it was bought by Joubere Food Group for an undisclosed sum.
‘Uncertainty for their futures’
Responding to the news, Rob Edwards, Community Union’s Regional Secretary for Wales, said: “This is devastating news for the workforce who have continued working above and beyond amidst great uncertainty for their futures.
“We are working tirelessly to support our members and again call on the Welsh and UK Governments to do all that they can to secure a future for TVF and its skilled, dynamic, loyal and dedicated workforce.
“Any potential sale of the business must be responsible and respect the needs of the workforce and local community. We will work with the current owners, the administrators and any potential buyers to ensure that workers are represented in this process.”
Meanwhile, insolvencies in the food and drink manufacturing industry have seen a steady decline since September last year, but a record number of insolvencies could be on the horizon for the manufacturing sector, according to law firm Higgs.
