New facility for MRC

The Manchester Rusk Company, which specialises in the production of high quality glazes, coatings, marinades, seasonings and sauces for the food industry, is now operating from new purpose-built premises in Manchester, UK - a move which is said to have given both its profile and production capacity a major boost.

A purpose built state-of-the-art factory on Manchester's Sharston Industrial Estate replaces the original premises nearby which were acquired piecemeal over the years since the company was launched in 1976. The company says that the move will bring major benefits for everyone concerned - from the 35-strong workforce, through to suppliers and a growing list of customers.

The move is a further step in the company's plan to extend its portfolio. Originally the company began by serving retail butchers and is now extending into the food processors, major multiples, the supermarket chains and cash and carry wholesalers. Set alongside the company's recent BRC/EFSIS Higher Level accreditation success, the aim is to become a major player in the market sector.

Operations manager Paul Hozack said: "We now have a purpose-built factory which includes both a development kitchen and a high specification presentation kitchen. In one we can do our research and development work, and in the other we can prepare a variety of cooked products which we can then present to visiting customers and colleagues in the board room. Having two different kitchen areas is ideal and we can also have visiting chefs along to see how our products perform and what the finished products look like and taste like."

The production area of MRC's new headquarters accounts for 15,000 square feet of the overall floor area of 28,000 square feet, which according to Mr Hozack is much bigger than the old premises.

"We had a number of buildings acquired over time as the company expanded. As more space was needed the place next door or the unit across the way was added, so we have never until now had anything purpose built and designed."​

So the company set out to get the best available - the right fabric and structure with the right facilities incorporated to enable it to achieve its objective of moving on to new and different sectors of the market. The family-run business will target larger food processors, including those providing products directly into the food processors, multiple retailers, cash & carry and food service sectors, as well as maintaining and nurturing its long-standing relationship with retail butchers both domestically and internationally.

Hozack continued: "We were aware that in order to grow our business and to diversify our customer base in a fiercely competitive marketplace we had to set about securing a globally recognised quality standard, hence our recent BRC EFSIS Higher Level accreditation."​

Although the company had outgrown its previous home and was in need of a move it did not want to quit Manchester and run the risk of losing some of its loyal and long-serving workers. So it built Flava House - named after its leading product brand name "Flava-it" - just a short distance away.

As well as the production area, the headquarters also contain offices for customer services, administration and accounts, and there has been investment in new production equipment in a factory laid out to maximise product flow and efficiency. Everywhere, both in the building and its landscaped grounds with their up-to-date security measures including CCTV, the emphasis is on cleanliness and environmental awareness.

The Manchester Rusk Company (MRC) was established in 1976 and currently employs 35 people. The business specializes in the production of high quality glazes, marinades, coatings, seasonings and sauces for the food industry in a variety of different pack formats, suitable for every sector.

Operating from its new purpose-built headquarters and manufacturing facility complete with its own test kitchen and product development laboratory, MRC is recognized as a leader in the industry.

Its retail sachets are sold by multiple retailers and retail butchers throughout the UK along with Ireland. Currently they are offered for sale under the 'Flava-it' brand.

In addition to a diverse range of quality standard products the company can also produce bespoke glazes, marinades, coatings, seasonings and sauces, to meet a particular customer's own requirements.

Based close to the motorway network in Manchester, MRC is independently owned and the company has over the years built up a reputation for innovation, quality and outstanding service that is second to none.

For further information about the company and its products please email Julie Nyunt.​