Food group Vion creates 250 jobs

A total of 150 jobs will be created at the chicken processing plant in Coupar Angus

Food group Vion has announced the creation of 250 new jobs in Scotland.

About 150 jobs will be created at the company's chicken processing facility in Coupar Angus and a further 100 jobs at its plant in Cambuslang.

The jobs follow a multi-million pound investment programme which included the installation of a new finished packing line at Coupar Angus.

A further 234 jobs at Cambuslang have been safeguarded with the help of a Scottish Enterprise grant of £650,000.

The company said its investment programme, along with the efforts of its workforce, had boosted business at Cambuslang by 25% in 2010.

Andrew Fisher, Vion Poultry's regional director for Scotland, said "This is very positive news and just reward for the tremendous efforts not only of the teams at Cambuslang and Coupar Angus, but also through the wider Vion supply chain from our farmers and feed mill operators, through to our production, sales and administration colleagues."

Glasgow Rutherglen Labour MSP James Kelly welcomed the announcement of new jobs in South Lanarkshire.

He said: "This is a tremendous boost not only for Cambuslang but also for the Scottish economy.

"I have actively supported the superb efforts of the workforce and the management which have turned the plant around to secure new contracts and create jobs.

"The investment linked with the strong team that are operating at Cambuslang will provide a platform to allow Vion to go from strength to strength. This will protect and create jobs locally and also make an important contribution to the wider Scottish economy."

Last year Vion cut 150 jobs at Cambuslang after losing some of its business supplying deli products and ready meals to Marks and Spencer.