Farne Salmon

Farne Salmon and Trout is building on its position as Europe's largest producer of smoked salmon by employing talent from several different countries.

Of the company's 500-strong workforce, about 45% are migrant workers, including Poles, Lithuanians, Latvians, Portuguese, Bulgarians and South Africans. This headcount rises to more than 1,000 over the busy Christmas period.

Claire Law, Recruitment Manager at the Duns-based business, said: "I would say our workforce is a true reflection of the Borders labour market, because unemployment here is very low. If we didn't employ migrant workers, we would struggle to get labour locally to support the business in the way that we want to progress and grow."

Virtually all of its overseas workers have approached Farne direct following word-of-mouth referrals. The company arranges work permits or notifies the Worker Registration Scheme - the government's monitoring system for workers from the 'A8' Eastern European countries - and also invites bank and Jobcentre Plus representatives on site to help with opening bank accounts and arranging national insurance. Workers are also invited to take part in a 10-week English course provided free of charge by Scottish Borders Council.

"They do this in their own time, but it's a real advantage for people who want to progress and some of them have moved up through the ranks very quickly," Law says.

The work ranges from operating salmon slicing equipment or smoking kilns to packaging, quality control and working in Farne's microbiology laboratory, where products and packaging are tested for bacteria such as listeria. The overseas recruits include highly qualified graduates with degrees such as biology and law and skilled tradesmen including joiners and plumbers.

"I would say we have a very happy workforce," Law says. "Whenever people come to the site, everyone says hello and makes them feel welcome. Having access to overseas talent means that we are able to grow and provide first class quality produce to our customers”

Farne Salmon turns over around £50m and supplies major UK multiples, including Tesco, as well as exporting to countries including France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and Belgium.

Case study:June 2007

Contact

Farne Salmon & Trout
Station Road
Duns
Berwickshire
TD11 3HS

Tel: 01361 883588
Fax: 01361 882854
www.farnesalmon.com