Avara is to invest more than £100m over the next three years in its UK poultry operations, including upgrades to processing facilities, automation and new cutting technology.
More than £40m of investment is planned in the current financial year, with the programme intended to improve productivity, increase capacity and make the company’s poultry supply chain more efficient and resilient.
See also: Pilgrim’s Europe completes £6m Potton Farm redevelopment
Investment is planned across key sites in Avara’s chicken supply chain and will include next-generation cutting capability and increased automation.
The business said the programme would also reduce duplication, simplify its operating model and support growth in the retail and foodservice markets.
Avara chief executive Chris Hall said: “This ambitious UK investment programme ensures Avara builds on its existing position as a strong and sustainable partner to our customers supplying the affordable locally sourced poultry, produced to high standards, that British consumers demand.”
Restructuring
Avara said the programme followed a three-year restructuring of the business which had improved its financial performance.
Hall said: “This is a major investment in the future of our business and in the resilience of the UK poultry supply chain that reflects confidence in our people, our facilities and the long-term future of UK poultry production.”
He added: “Our customers and consumers need a supply chain that is competitive, reliable and able to grow. Over the last three years we have completed a comprehensive restructuring of our business delivering improved financial performance.
“This investment plan meets the growing consumer demand for affordable, locally sourced poultry produced to high standards, while creating a stronger and more sustainable platform for the future.”
