HKScan to invest in Kristianstad plant
Announced as one of the steps in HKScan’s strategic development of the entire value chain, from farm to fork, this investment will modernise Sweden’s largest pig slaughterhouse and strengthen the company’s operational footprint.
Sami Sivuranta, EVP of operations, said: “HKScan’s investment increases production efficiency, enhances the work environment and improves food safety at the Kristianstad plant. The investment will also result in considerable energy savings and reduced water consumption. Simultaneously, it is an important step in HKScan’s strategic development roadmap of its operations and it supports the group’s ambition towards certifying the plant for export to China.”
HKScan has previously made other investments in the Kristianstad plant to improve animal welfare and enhance food safety. This investment, focusing in the first section of the slaughter line, now completes the modernisation of the entire process.
Sofia Hyléen Toresson, EVP of Sweden, explained the investment. “In our home markets, HKScan is the link between tens of thousands of farmers and millions of consumers,” she said. “By taking responsibility for the entire value chain, from farm to fork, we enable not only the consumers today, but also future generations, to enjoy sustainably and responsibly produced meat. With this investment we can further modernise our operations and better respond to consumer expectations regarding sustainable production.”
The business had a tough first quarter of the year with net sales dropping to €411m from €420.7m in the same period of 2017. It labelled the quarter’s results as “not acceptable” and attributed the downturn to delays at its Rauma poultry unit.
