HKScan opens Sweden’s largest pig slaughterhouse
HKScan said the opening of the plant was an “important step” in the strategic development of its operations and enhanced the processor’s ambitions towards certifying the plant for export to China.
The move means that its Kristianstad plant will now become Sweden’s largest pig slaughterhouse and one of the largest private employers in the area, with around 700 members of staff.
The processor revealed in June last year that it had invested €7m in modernising the entire production line at the plant to improve its animal welfare standards and enhance food safety.
Several of HKScan’s senior employees, including executive vice president for its Swedish operation Sofia Hyleen Toresson and CEO Tero Hemmilä, were present during the opening ceremony.
Commenting on the opening, Hyleen Toresson said the investment would allow the business to produce even more sustainable meat products for its customers.
“Not only have we upgraded the whole production process, the investment has also enabled important energy savings and reduced water consumption,” said Hyleen Toresson. “Altogether, this is an important part of our strategic development and our entire value chain, from farm to fork.”
Meanwhile, Hemmilä said: “This is a state-of-the-art project and an investment that both improves our work environment and the quality of the food and our products. It also enhances efficiency in the production line.”
