A company which had a base in the Forest of Dean is set to invest more than £100 million in its UK poultry operations over the next three years.
Avara Foods, which has a facility in Hereford, is aiming to improve productivity, strengthen supply chain resilience and support future growth across retail and foodservice, as reported by FoodBev Media.
Avara’s investment programme will include upgrades to facilities across its chicken supply chain, increased automation and new next-generation cutting capabilities.
More than £40 million will be invested this year, which the company said will create a more resilient and efficient production network, while supporting sustainable manufacturing employment.
Chris Hall, CEO of Avara, said the investment will build on the company’s position as a ‘strong and sustainable partner’ to its customers, ‘supplying the affordable locally sourced poultry British consumers demand’.
The investment will be used at a number of key sites across Avara’s production network.
The business said improved cutting technology and automation are becoming increasingly important to food manufacturers facing pressures around staff availability, productivity, supply chain resilience and operating costs.
Avara closed its Newent facility in early 2024.
Avara Foods Limited, Freemans of Newent Limited and Welsh Water all denied claims of ‘extensive and widespread pollution’ in three rivers – the Wye, Lugg and Usk – in the biggest legal claim ever brought in the UK over environmental pollution in the country, filed at the High Court last year.
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