Danone plans closure of its Blédina infant-cereal plant

FRANCE – Danone has announced plans to close its Blédina infant cereal production site in France, a decision that will affect 117 staff.

Located in Villefranche-sur-Saône within the Rhône department, the factory produces the baby cereals brand Blédine, along with the Phosphatine line.

Danone said the Bledine and Phosphatine products are mainly sold to markets in Europe and Africa. Phosphatine is an iron-fortified brand targeted at children in Africa to help tackle anaemia.

“This project comes as the site has been facing a slow decline in activity for more than a decade in a structurally declining market in Europe and a complex market environment in Africa,” Danone explained in the statement.

“Despite significant investment over the past ten years to support, transform and modernise the site, its economic future is no longer guaranteed.”

Production carried out at the Blédina factory is likely to move to Danone’s facility in Opole, Poland, the company said, emphasising the group business will continue to produce infant cereal.

Affected employees will be offered alternative positions in France, and where possible within the vicinity of the Blédina plant in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Danone said.

“The management’s top priority is to find suitable and personalised solutions for each employee affected by the project, in line with their aspirations,” according to the statement provided.

Additionally, other social support will be offered, including training programmes through the creation of a career transition campus, Danone said, adding that discussions over those opportunities would take place with the employee representatives.

“Danone will continue to invest in its industrial facilities and develop employment in France, particularly in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which is a strategic priority for the group,” the statement read.

Danone to close Germany dairy plant

The news comes after the company announced plans to shut down a dairy plant in Germany, citing production costs and the facility’s underutilization.

The Activia maker said it is lining up the closure of the site in Ochsenfurt by the final quarter of next year.

In a statement, Danone explained the decision was necessary as the “only way to remain competitive and successful in the long term in German-speaking countries”. Around 230 jobs will be affected.

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