ONE of Okehampton?s largest employers is being put up for sale as food giant Heinz announced is was looking to sell its North Road plant as the Times went to press. The North Road plant employs around 400 people. The US firm plans to sell its European frozen food division by the end of the year. The firm blamed waning demand and said it?s new strategy would be to focus on core products like soup and tomato ketchup. Heinz is seeking a single corporate buyer for sites in the UK and Ireland including Okehampton. Other sites in Norfolk, Warwickshire, and Bedfordshire will also be affected as will Irish operations in Dundalk. Selling the frozen food division would make Heinz ?leaner and nimble?? commented Heinz Europe president Joe Jimenez.
