Warminster’s largest private employer celebrates 50 years in the west country

Golden Jubilee for Lyons Seafoods

Lyons Seafoods - the Warminster-based firm which began its existence in 1958 has kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations, with some of its longest serving employees leading the way. 

Having undergone a significant transformation over the past fifty years the firm, which retains its original Codford site in addition to a £5million purpose built town-centre factory which was completed in 2005, is the UK’s largest processor of prawns and has held that title since the early 1970s.  The company now supplies prawns and speciality seafood to many of the UK’s leading supermarkets as well as some of the largest companies in the catering and hospitality market.

Dave Rideout, distribution manager at the firm’s Codford factory and a Lyons’ employee for the past 32 years, has overseen many changes in production methods since he joined in 1976 and is proud of the company’s achievements.

“Lyons has consistently provided good employment opportunities in both Codford and Warminster and in return it has a high proportion of long serving members of staff.  I’m one of several people with 30 plus years of service,” Rideout adds. 

The goods being processed in the Lyons Warminster factory and the upgraded Codford site have also moved with the times.  Delivery driver Robbie Green, who joined in 1975,   says he has noticed a big change in customer tastes with the type of prawns he has had to deliver.

“When I first began my delivery round it consisted mostly of small frozen cold water prawns – the type used in a traditional prawn cocktail – but now it’s the chilled larger warm water variety which are popular with supermarkets and the catering trade as well as lobster, scallops, smoked salmon and mussels,” Green adds

Sustainable and ethical sourcing practices, product innovation and maintaining a local workforce have remained long term priorities for the firm.

Ole Norgard, Lyons Seafoods chief executive for the past 13 years, said:
 “The West Country, and Warminster in particular, has provided a sound base for Lyons Seafoods throughout the past 50 years.  People are the backbone of our business and our dedicated workforce has been vital in the fantastic success story that Lyons Seafoods has become. We couldn’t have achieved our 50th anniversary without the ongoing commitment of our team and I would like to thank them all.”

Lyons Seafoods remains Warminster’s largest private employer providing in excess of 300 jobs in the town and surrounding areas.    

Pictured are the longest serving members of Lyons Seafoods in Warminster. The company is celebrating its 50th ‘Jubilee’ Anniversary in the town.

From left to right.

Richard Green- Team Leader Codford Cold Store – 33 years service
June Tait – Production Operative – 33 years service
Dave Rideout – Factory Manager -  32 years service
Robert Green – Delivery Courier – 33 years service  

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Gary Squires or Kate Zappa at Creatrix PR
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