Devon-based food manufacturer Paramount 21 is increasing wages for workers at its Newton Abbot site by paying the real Living Wage - the only rate designed to meet the true cost of living.
Based on Heathfield industrial estate, the family-owned company is now an accredited Living Wage Employer. The real Living Wage, currently 拢9.50 per hour, is significantly higher than the Government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at 拢8.91 per hour.
Paramount is based in the South West, a region where over a fifth of all jobs (20%) pay less than the real Living Wage - about 456,000 jobs. Despite this, Paramount said it has committed to pay the real Living Wage and deliver a fair day鈥檚 pay for a hard day鈥檚 work.
This change comes after a challenging 18 months for Paramount, which produces seafood, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food. Whilst 海角视频 hospitality remains a key market for Paramount鈥檚 products, the Coronavirus pandemic has led the business to diversify, resulting in several large contracts with major supermarkets and brands, and expanding export activities in European and global markets.
In addition to investing in its team, Paramount is expanding its production capabilities to match the increase in demand, and has 拢650,000 of capital expenditure planned this year.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click .
And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page
Ali Hannaford, Paramount鈥檚 founder and chairman, said: "It has always been of paramount importance to me and my team that each and every member of staff feel valued.
鈥淭he pandemic has shown everyone how volatile business and life can be, and the way we all pulled together through the most challenging of times was truly heart-warming. 鈥淧aramount鈥檚 Board have been discussing this for some time, but felt that now was the right time. A big thank you to everyone for all of their hard-work and continued efforts. We really do have a very special team.鈥
Laura Gardiner, director, Living Wage Foundation, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted that Paramount has joined the movement of over 7,000 responsible employers across the 海角视频 who voluntarily commit to go further than the Government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.鈥
As a Living Wage Employer, Paramount joins household names including IKEA, Nationwide and Everton FC. Paramount is currently recruiting for food production staff in both full and part time roles, with flexible shift patterns available.
Founded by Ms Hannaford in 1988, Paramount started with an investment of only 拢3,500, second-hand machinery, 鈥渟heer determination and faith in the future鈥.
