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Avara has announced plans to invest more than £100 million in its UK poultry operations over the next three years as it seeks to improve productivity, strengthen supply-chain resilience and support future growth across retail and foodservice.

The programme will include upgrades to facilities across Avara’s chicken supply chain, alongside the introduction of next-generation cutting capabilities and increased automation.

More than £40 million is due to be invested during the current year, with the company saying the programme will create a more efficient and resilient production network while supporting sustainable employment in UK manufacturing.

Chris Hall, CEO of Avara, said: “This ambitious UK investment programme ensures Avara builds on its existing position as a strong and sustainable partner to our customers, supplying the affordable locally sourced poultry, produced to high standards, that British consumers demand."

Avara said the investment will target key sites across its production network, with technology upgrades designed to increase efficiency and support a more future-ready manufacturing operation.

The programme includes new cutting technology and automation, areas that are becoming increasingly important to food manufacturers facing pressure around productivity, labour availability, operating costs and supply-chain resilience.

The company said the investment would also support the development of sustainable jobs within UK manufacturing.

Hall described the programme as a long-term investment in both Avara and the wider domestic poultry sector.

“This is a major investment in the future of our business and in the resilience of the UK poultry supply chain that reflects confidence in our people, our facilities and the long-term future of UK poultry production,” he said.

Avara said the investment follows a comprehensive restructuring of the business over the past three years, which it said has delivered improved financial performance.

The investment comes as UK food manufacturers continue to focus on automation and capital expenditure as they seek to improve production efficiency and build greater resilience into domestic supply chains.