KK Fine Foods expands factory, creating 100 jobs

Frozen ready meal maker KK Fine Foods is set to create 100 jobs as part of a £833,000 expansion of its food factory in Wales.

The firm has announced plans to open a third production hall at its manufacturing site in the Deeside Enterprise Zone, close to the English border.

The company also plans to build adaptions to accommodate new freezing facilities, cooking lines, equipment and IT control systems to increase productivity.

New contracts

The expansion project, due to be completed in March 2016, will help to service new contracts with key customers such as Wetherspoons, Ikea, Aldi and Morrisons.

KK Fine Foods chairman Graham Jackson said: “It will enable us to meet the growing demand from some of our key customers and we anticipate it will increase our turnover to £40M within three years.”

Jackson thanked the Welsh government for its support over the years and giving the firm a £100,000 loan toward the expansion project.

Welsh government economy minister Edwina Hart said: “It is very encouraging to see KK Fine Foods continuing to invest and grow, creating jobs and winning new contracts.

‘On-going growth’

“The Welsh government has worked closely with the company supporting its on-going growth since the business moved to Deeside in 2003 when it employed just 23 people.

“It now has a staff of more than 250 which will rise to 350 within six months which is good news.”

Last year KK Fine Foods announced a £4.2M investment in additional manufacturing space and new equipment, creating 90 jobs.

Ceo Leyla Edwards, who founded the business in her kitchen in 1987, said the firm’s profile has increased after winning British Frozen Food Federation awards.