Burts Chips invests £3M and creates new jobs

By Michael Stones

- Last updated on GMT

Burts Chips has invested £3M in a new high-speed potato frying line to meet export demand
Burts Chips has invested £3M in a new high-speed potato frying line to meet export demand

Related tags Investment Potato

Burts Chips has boosted capacity by 20% at its Plymouth factory and created new jobs, after investing £3M in a new high-speed potato frying line to meet export demand for its products.

Production of hand-cooked chips at the factory will increase to 200t a week. Weekly output of its Lentil Waves and Quinoa Crinkles will see volumes jump to 23t, as consumer demand for healthy snacking options continues to flourish, according to the manufacturer. 

Burts Chips md David Nairn said: “The investment this year forms part of an on-going programme over the past five-years that has seen nearly £12M spent increasing production capacity and driving efficiencies at our Plymouth site.”

‘Nearly £12M spent increasing production capacity’

The investment had allowed the company to achieve significant year-on-year growth in both domestic and export sales, boosting revenue from £11.4M in 2013 to £24.5M last year.

Export demand was said to be particularly strong from the US, Canada, and countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

As part of its investment, Burts added an extra 12 people to its team in Plymouth, bringing the total workforce to 68.

‘Grow by a further 30%’

Nairn said: “This year we are on course to grow by a further 30% and the new potato fryer is integral to this success, giving us the additional capacity needed to fulfil increased demand from our existing customers, as well as driving new business and innovation.”

The fryer is the company’s second high-capacity line to be installed and the tenth overall at its Plymouth production site. The fryer installation followed upgrades to the factory’s bagging system introduced to cope with the increased volumes earlier this year. 

Further investment is planned for the first quarter of next year, with the introduction of a fully automated palletisation system.  

Meanwhile, boosting food and drink exports is the focus of our one-day conference​ to take place at Ardencote Manor on Thursday February 8 2018. Find more details in the box below.

 

Food Xport conference, February 8, Ardencote Manor

This one-day Food Export Conference will arm delegates with the advice needed to boost exports around the world. Aimed at businesses starting out on an export journey as well as those companies targeting expansion in new global markets, the conference will provide practical advice delivered by thriving food and drink exporters.  Find out more information – including early bird ticket information – on our conference website​.

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