The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

UK potato supplier Branston has announced it will open a mashed potato facility to supply leading UK supermarkets, set to be operational in spring 2024. The company currently handles 350,000 tonnes of potatoes for fresh and prepared products. With the opening of the new site, Branston aims to expand its capabilities and enhance its long-term sustainability. The factory will include two main lines set to produce 14 different products, ranging from standard ready-to-eat mash to artisan root vegetable recipes and topped jacket potatoes. It is expected to produce 23 million packs of mashed potato in the first year alone, utilising steam peeling and cooking technologies along with a 2km spiral chiller. Jim Windle, group managing director of Branston, said that the company’s new venture is expected to bring 90 new job opportunities to Branston and the surrounding Lincoln area. The roles will be specialised due to the production line’s technical nature, he added, creating opportunities for engineers, machine technicians, line operatives and section managers among others. Windle commented: “This new facility has been in our plans for some time and now we’re just a matter of months away from starting to produce samples – it is fantastic to see it approach fruition”. “Previously, we sent peeled potatoes away to a third-party facility to be mashed, however, to improve efficiency and sustainability, it made sense to develop a solution in-house where we know we can get the best out of every potato and use the right varieties for the right products. This will not only improve the consumer product, but also make the supply chain more sustainable.” The mashed potato facility will be led by Wayne Mansfield, mash production manager. Mansfield explained that demand for prepared potatoes has been growing over the years, and that the company received the go-ahead for the new facility last October after a lengthy planning and equipment sourcing process. Construction began this March and Branston is aiming for commissioning in December, ready for technical validation of the product range in early 2024, Mansfield confirmed. “The build is well underway, and we’re installing state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the process is as efficient as possible, transforming fresh potatoes into chilled mash in under two hours,” he commented. “I’ve been in the food industry for 25 years and leading this project for Branston is a fantastic opportunity, to see it from build right through to production. We’ve carefully sourced machinery for the latest innovations available, creating a highly automated yet flexible process, all of which supports full crop utilisation and efficiency.”