In this video, filmed recently at the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards in London, FDF director Melanie Leech explains the need to face the challenge of upgrading the industry’s infrastructure.
New premises
“We have a relatively inefficient manufacturing base. Many factories in the UK are outdated and the cost of moving to new premises or upgrading existing factories is very high,” said Leech.
Facing the challenge will require help from government to create a framework that is favourable for investment, she added.
Elsewhere in her keynote address, Leech praised the success of UK food and drink manufacturing. The sector is now the UK’s largest manufacturing sector employing 400,000 people. Indirectly, it supports the livelihoods of thousands more – including UK farmers and growers.