EOL begins £23.6m investment project at UK production site

Edible Oils Limited’s (EOL) Erith plant is being upgraded in a £23.6 million investment programme, which will reportedly increase the site’s production capacity by around 50%.

Construction work has begun on the project, which EOL also says will allow it to reduce its carbon footprint and introduce new packaging formats across its product range.

The investment will include the installation of a new production line and palletising solution, the construction of a fully enclosed warehouse,  and the development of an expanded dry goods warehouse.

In addition, a portion of the funds will be used for a new staff car park with ‘extensive’ electric vehicle charging capabilities.

Edible Oils is a 50:50 joint venture between Princes and ADM, and claims to be the UK’s largest producer of packaged oils for the retail sector.

The Erith plant, which currently produces over 100 million litres of cooking oil every year, will remain fully operational over the expected two-year duration of the investment project.

The site is said to form ‘the hub’ of EOL’s cooking oil production, and bottles the Crisp ‘n’ Dry, Flora and Mazola Corn Oil brands.

“We are thrilled to be in position to progress with our ambitious plans for our Erith site, which are a major part of our commitment to UK manufacturing and providing long-term, high-quality employment opportunities in the area,” said Kim Matthews, commercial director at EOL.

“We have overcome some significant challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic to reach this point, and we are now ready to deliver state-of-the-art equipment, better energy efficiency and increased production capabilities.”