Coffee supplier UCC Coffee UK & Ireland has invested £2.5m in its Kent roastery, increasing annual coffee production capacity by 50%.
Effective this month, the changes will allow the company to roast 12,000 tonnes of coffee every year at the site, “cementing its position as the UK’s largest roaster of coffee by volume”. The investment covered the modernisation of silos, upgrades to software and green bean transportation systems, and the installation of a new roaster from Probat.
The company manufactures a range of own-label, bespoke blend and branded coffees for operators in the foodservice, retail and independent channels.
UCC Coffee UK & Ireland managing director Elaine Higginson said: “The coffee market continues to develop at an astonishingly quick pace. With this, our customers in both retail and out of home are experiencing higher demand for excellent coffee than ever before. This investment in Dartford has significantly increased our roasting capacity and future-proofed our business, so we can fulfil higher volumes for our customers for years to come.”
UCC Coffee UK and Ireland director of roastery operations Rahul Ghosh added: “The decision to invest with Probat is the result of extensive research into what equipment would deliver for our business. Probat technology is pioneering – the manufacturer is exceptionally successful in the market having operated in it for 100 years and is responsible for roasting six in ten cups of coffee consumed worldwide. It stood out from other roaster manufacturers thanks to the unrivalled roasting quality, which produces an excellent, consistent roast and the highest aroma development in each batch. It truly cements our commitment to our customers to supply the highest quality coffee.”
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