Rich’s to open state-of-the-art manufacturing site in ambitious growth plan for UK
The 15-acre site, which spans an area the size of 11 football fields, is expected to open by the end of the year and heralds the company’s ambitious new growth phase.
It features a production hall that will increase capacity for business growth and create new opportunities for employment.
“The food manufacturing world is constantly evolving and undergoing rapid change. This requires us to adapt and innovate, and the new Andover site will mean state-of-the-art technology, exceptional working conditions, and will enable us to continue to improve upon our already first class customer service and range of sweet bakery products,” said David Hunt, MD, UK & EME, Rich Products Corporation.
“This is an ambitious project that represents our long-term future commitment to the UK. With plans for the next five, 10 and 20 years, the new facility will increase production and business efficiency as we enter a new phase of growth.”
Flexibility to innovate
According to Paul Edwards, commercial director UK & Europe, Rich Products Corporation, the facility will be equipped with the latest automation technologies for dough-making, mixing, depositing, and baking.
“Coupled with automated finishing and packing, this will make us relevant to the market from a quality and commercial perspective, whilst maintaining the flexibility to innovate with new products and formats, enabling us to respond quickly to trends and deliver bespoke solutions to our customers,” he said.
“The new facility will also feature a dedicated artisan bakery where smaller batches of artisan lines will be produced, and a new Customer Solutions Centre that will put customers at the heart of our business, enabling them to be part of the manufacturing process, from market insights right through to product development.”
Rich Products’ current UK production sites in Fareham, Portchester and Hartlebury will be closed and production will be transferred to the new site, along with all business support functions, when it is fully operational.
Rich’s is one of the UK's leading suppliers of sweet bakery products and non-dairy toppings and fillings to the foodservice, in-store bakery and retail marketplaces.
Its product portfolio includes frozen and ambient bakery products – muffins, swirls, shortbread, cookies, scones and fruit breads – as well as non-dairy icings, toppings and fillings for cakes and desserts.
Today, Rich’s is the largest privately owned frozen food company in the US. Globally, the business employs more than 10,000 staff in more than 50 locations spanning six continents.
