The last rotations take place this Friday. In Quimper (Finistère), the last Saupiquet factory will close its doors this evening. The death of an institution which opened its doors in 1968 and employed up to 600 people. This Friday, around 150 people will leave the site, with death in their souls. For the oldest, they have been working in the fish cannery for almost forty years. The end of a story started in 1891 in Nantes for this emblematic brand.
The Italian group Bolton which had taken over Saupiquet had announced the end of activities in June, ensuring that it would try to find a buyer for its site. That wasn’t the case. Questioned by France Bleu Breizh Izel, the employees blame the blow. “There will be difficult awakenings,” warns Philippe, who spent eleven years at Saupiquet.
A relocation to Spain and Morocco
The factory producing canned mackerel and sardines had seen its activity plummet in recent years. “The sales volume of Bolton Food decreased by almost 25%, between 2020 and 2023”, in competition with mass distribution brands. “Although the site (of Quimper) has pushed its performance to the maximum, it today records one of the lowest usage rates of Bolton Food,” argued the multinational which also owns the brands WC Net, Carolin or Uhu glues again.
According to France Bleu Breizh Izel, Breton production lines will go to Spain and Morocco, where labor costs less. The oldest employees, who have sometimes spent their entire career within the factory, will be able to slide into early retirement granted by the agri-food group.
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