Poultry supplier Avara Foods is investing a total of over £11 million to increase productivity at its processing site in Brackley, Northamptonshire.
The investment is part of a wider £100 million programme that the company plans to spend on improving its British operations over the next three years. Last year, Avara Foods – which is a joint venture between Cargill and Faccenda Foods – invested more than £6.5 million to help raise capacity by 100,000 chickens per week at its Hereford facility.
By installing new ‘state-of-the-art’ technology and equipment, Avara Foods aims to boost the site’s operations, increase efficiency and improve its colleague experience.
The investment will primarily be used to fit out a new packing hall to improve product throughput, as well as adding new conveyors and automated handling systems. The capital will also be used to fund a major upgrade to the site’s staff facilities including a modern canteen, and refurbished changing areas, lockers and shared working spaces.
Over 60 jobs have been created as a result of these investments, joining the current 750+ employees at the site.
“This is the largest single investment we’ve ever made at Brackley and it’s an exciting step forwards for the company,” said Claire Tarvit, site manager at Avara Foods, Brackley.
She added: “We firmly believe steady investment in our people, facilities and technology is the best way to sustain growth and offer our people greater career opportunities; the automation of certain processes allows greater opportunities for more skilled roles in maintaining and monitoring equipment performance.”
Andy Dawkins, CEO at Avara Foods, said: “We’ve had a home in Brackley since the early ‘70s, and this planned investment is proof of our long-term commitment to both our people and customers.
“Where others in the market are delaying the implementation of plans for growth due to uncertainty around Brexit, we’re forging ahead with a comprehensive capital investment programme in which we plan to spend over £100 million on improving our British operations over the next three years, solidifying our position as a leader in poultry processing.”
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