Giannone Poultry announced Oct. 30 that it is closing its poultry processing plant in Drummondville, Que., which it acquired last July. Seventy employees are affected by the closure scheduled for Nov. 6.

The company said all employees were informed at a meeting as well as through a personal letter. In accordance with the Quebec Labour Standards Act, severance will be paid to each employee, and Giannone Poultry will also set up a reassignment committee, in particular to offer jobs at its St-Cuthbert plant and to assist employees in their job search.

Giannone Poultry will now concentrate its activities at its St-Cuthbert plant in Lanaudière. The company said it has made all arrangements to honor existing supply contracts with the poultry farmers serving this facility.

"This difficult decision follows a thorough review of the condition of the plant's facilities. The management of Giannone Poultry concluded that the investments required to modernize, renovate the infrastructure and update the equipment of this plant would be too large to ensure its long-term viability,” Giannone Poultry vice president and chief executive officer Bruno Giannone said. “We will do everything in our power to provide the necessary support to employees affected by this decision. The poultry farmers who supply this plant have also been informed of this news and the arrangements regarding their business relationship with our company."

Founded in 1989, Giannone Poultry is a family business specializing in poultry slaughtering and cutting that serves both the Quebec and Canadian markets as well as northeastern U.S. The company offers premium-quality products, from fresh and seasoned chicken to vacuum-sealed products. Giannone Poultry has more than 250 employees.