December 3, 2019

Avara Foods facility in Hereford, UK, improved with US$8.4 million investment

UK poultry supplier Avara Foods has injected more than £6.5 million (US$8.4 million) this year to boost production at its Hereford facility in the United Kingdom.

A company-wide investment programme provided the site with improvements in factory technology, facilities and worker pay and development to help raise its weekly capacity by 100,000 chickens.

The investment forms part of a wider initiative at the facility implemented to increase efficiency and productivity.

Avara, a joint venture between Cargill and Faccenda Foods, added that it has invested in technologies to create additional job opportunities, requiring new and greater skills.

Chris Hall, chief commercial officer at Avara Foods, said: "Our Hereford operations have been key to the company's wider success, and will be for the foreseeable future. The site undertakes a significant amount of specialist processing and directly supplies some of our biggest customers.

"This investment is all about making sure this site is fit for the future and cements our place as the city's largest employer. We're looking forward to celebrating more successes in Hereford over the coming years."

Richard Walden, site manager at Avara Foods, Hereford, added: "Our investment programme is great news for the city. Improving our operating infrastructure, increasing productivity and raising pay will improve efficiency, retain our valued colleagues and help make sure we are a sustainable business for the long term. We offer a great range of employee opportunities, ongoing development and training, and we're excited to welcome new colleagues to our team."

Founded in 2018, Avara Foods supplies chicken, turkey and duck to retailers, foodservice and food manufacturers. Both Cargill and UK food business Faccenda Foods own a 50% stake in the company.

- FoodBev Media