Apetito invests £31M in factory and creates 40 jobs

The health and social care food producer will extend its factory in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and buy new cooking facilities, it revealed today (March 22). Its carbon footprint would be reduced by 47%, following the extension, Apetito said.

The catering firm said the investment would allow the company to continue growing, while providing staff with added job security.

Construction would begin next year, and was expected to be completed by 2020.

The manufacturer’s chief executive Paul Freeston said: “As one of largest food manufacturers in the health and social care sector, we remain focused on building our UK business and in doing so supporting the UK economy and our employees with job security.​

‘Building our UK business’​

“Apetito is proud of its UK manufacturing base and the economic and social contribution that we make here in Britain, whether as an employer – or in the service we provide in delivering nutritious meals to elderly and vulnerable individuals.”​

The investment would support the local economy, Apetito said. Wiltshire Council agreed, saying the investment was “good news”​ for the county and for Trowbridge in particular.

Wiltshire Council leader Baroness Jane Scott said: “I am delighted that Apetito, as a leading national company, has decided to invest further in its food manufacturing site in the county town. This major investment of £31M is a huge boost to the local economy, securing the company’s presence here, and creating new jobs in the area.​

“The council looks forward to continuing to work with Apetito as a strategically important company, on this significant business growth programme.”​

Raise the UK’s global profile​

Food and farming minister George Eustice said Apetito’s investment would raise the UK’s global profile.

Eustice said: “Our thriving food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK – bigger than cars and aerospace combined – and this significant investment by Apetito is a real vote of confidence in the south-west and the UK as a place to do business.”​

The food manufacturer supplies to hospitals, care homes and local government meals on wheels services. It also has a private meal delivery service, Wiltshire Farm Foods.

Meanwhile, Apetito acquired Wiltshire Farm Foods’s franchise Crieff​ in June. The business delivers more than 1M meals a year.