National wholesaler JJ Food Service has offered its full support to more than 2,500 staff who lost their jobs yesterday after UK delivered wholesaler Palmer and Harvey (P&H) fell into administration.
Mustafa Kiamil, the CEO of JJ Food Service, said, “P&H has been around for nearly a century – it is a tragedy to see a fellow wholesaler fall victim to such challenging trading conditions.”
He encouraged P&H’s employees now facing financial uncertainty in the run-up to Christmas to, “visit our careers page.”
P&H was one of the UK’s largest privately-owned businesses, best known for being the country’s leading tobacco supplier. It also sold alcohol, groceries and frozen food to multiples such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, as well as host of smaller businesses.
The firm underwent a severe funding crisis and when hopes for a buyout failed, it was forced to go into administration on Tuesday. After paying November’s wages, the company, which employs 3,400 staff and 14 regional distribution centres, was obliged to make immediate redundancies.
Some 450 staff have been retained by P&H to help with managing the orderly closure of the business. But its demise also puts at risk hundreds of smaller stores, restaurants and other businesses reliant on the firm’s supplies.
“We would also like to extend our support to the retailers and forecourts who have been left without a supplier,” said Mr Kiamil in a press statement issued today.
One of the fastest growing businesses in Britain, JJ Food Service has eleven branches across the UK, supplying more than 60,000 caterers and food outlets with products including soft drinks, confectionery, fresh produce, packaging and hygiene lines.
For the latest JJ Food Service vacancies, visit their careers section online.
