Grant Le Tissier, who co-leads Manor Farm Foods, said the way Cimandis ran its business model in the Channel Islands put the company at risk.
‘They were trying to operate the Channel Islands market using a UK model, it was never going to work,’ he said yesterday, the day after the business announced it would be closing across the Bailiwick at the end of August.
Cimandis had already said it would close in Jersey at the end of July after some 20 years of trading locally under that name.
The company has blamed its decision on increased shipping and rent costs, and the ‘unique logistical challenges of operating in an island market.’
Mr Le Tissier, who co-founded Manor Farm Foods with Andy Batiste about two decades ago, said there had been a lot of noise regarding Cimandis’ issues, but added ultimately he was not surprised to hear about the company’s demise.
‘They never had full units running out of the places they were based in over here. They couldn’t see the livestock they were working with for instance, that was bound to make things difficult for them.
‘Unlike Cimandis we actually physically see the day-to-day problems we might have to contend with, it’s one of my roles as buyer.’
He said Manor Farm Foods was currently ‘very busy and very happy’, and praised Guernsey’s shipping arrangement with Brittany Ferries, which had enabled the company to move ‘thousands’ of pallets.
He thought it inevitable his company would pick up some new clients following Cimandis’ departure from the Bailiwick.
‘We will pick things up as and when, but I don’t know exactly what that will look like until we’ve got them.
‘It’s an opportunity for us, but only until someone else comes along and decides they want to do it too.
‘It’s hard work and a demanding market, but up until now both us and Cimandis have made it work.’
He added affected Cimandis staff were ‘more than welcome’ to get in touch with Manor Farm Foods about new employment.
‘We’re not going to poach staff, but if anyone is looking for a job they’re more than welcome to make contact with me and we can have a chat about things.’
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