New Ardo UK site packs a punch with double the capacity

The newly installed system allows Ardo UK to pack in pillow bags, stand-up bags and punnets. As well as single fruit and vegetables, it can pack mixes, corn on the cob, rice and pasta with the addition of sauces and seasonings.

Ardo UK has also invested in the site's cold storage unit, which will benefit from 5,000 more pallet spaces increasing from 15,000 to 20,000 in total. The extra capacity has meant that, for the first time, it can offer cold storage and distribution to third party customers. "This helps us reduce road miles," said technical director Darren Schlosser. "Because if we work with external firms, they can use our cold storage unit and then we can distribute their products alongside ours in full delivery vans, reducing carbon dioxide emissions."

Ardo is a Belgium-based company that has 15 processing and packaging sites in Europe. Its annual turnover in 2009 was euro 557M. An in-depth look at Ardo UK's new facility in Charing will be published next month.