UK: A Dozen jobs are to go at an Angus malting plant after Irish agricultural giant Greencore revealed its decision to close its operation at Carnoustie by the end of the year. Closure of the Greencore Malting Group's oldest Scottish plant was announced to staff on August 31 afternoon. However, operations at the group's two other Scottish operations, Buckie and Glenesk, Montrose, will continue. Greencore bosses last night blamed the move on overcapacity in the UK malting industry, The Press and Journal North Scotland posted on September 1, 2004.

They claimed Scotland had suffered the combined effects of a continuing decline in domestic brewing and reduced opportunities for profitable exports, with key markets such as eastern Europe and Russia moving to self-sufficiency. The closure of the Carnoustie base will allow the group to focus its resources on the more modern plants at Buckie and Glenesk.

Greencore chief executive officer John McNamara said: "We very much regret having to take this decision but we are operating in a very competitive marketplace with overcapacity issues which must be addressed for the benefit of the business as a whole. "In coming to this decision, we are very aware of the effect that it will have on those employed at Carnoustie, many of whom have served the company with great loyalty for many years. "We will be consulting with those affected over the coming weeks on all matters relating to the closure and will be making every effort to assist them in finding alternative employment."

Angus MP Mike Weir last night expressed his disappointment at the decision. He described the closure as a bitter blow for the 12 employees and the local economy. "The company blame commercial pressures for the closure and this cannot have been helped by the Government's policy on whisky taxation," Mr Weir said. "The increasing concentration of the beer market has not helped the situation. "The company have confirmed that their other plant in Angus will continue and that is welcome. "The closure of the Carnoustie plant will, however, be a serious blow to the local economy and a worry not only to the town but to the local farming community."

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .