Danish Crown in transformation: closing a slaughterhouse while creating new jobs in Denmark

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 05. 20. 11:14

Danish Crown, one of Europe’s leading meat industry companies, has announced the closure of its slaughterhouse in Ringsted but is simultaneously creating new job opportunities in Horsens, Herning, Blans, and Vejen. The initiative aims to enhance efficiency and expand the production of higher value-added products. The company indicates that improving efficiency in the pork sector is crucial as Denmark has seen a reduction in pig farming, leading to decreased performance at slaughterhouses. The future focus will be on fewer, but more modern facilities that process pork into high-value products like bacon and salami.

As part of the new strategy, nearly 1,200 jobs will be lost with the closure of the Ringsted slaughterhouse; however, approximately a quarter of a billion kroner will be freed up for investments over the next three years, creating about 300 new jobs at the four new locations. Additionally, Danish Crown places a strong emphasis on sustainability and serving Danish farmers at competitive prices. The company’s further plans include selling pork as semi-finished or processed products and expanding export markets.

Given the recent global market changes, Asger Krogsgaard, the chairman of Danish Crown, emphasizes the importance of stabilizing capacities and employment, which the new strategy aims to support. The company hopes that the employees affected by the closure will find new opportunities at other Danish locations of the group, with social plans in place to assist them in transitioning.