Horizons new for Food Design

Food Design has moved into a new GBP0.5M factory, expanding production capabilities 100% to meet increased demand from export, and is planning further expansion on the Pacific Rim

In the same week as it opened its new factory extension, Food Design, the innovative inclusion manufacturers, have announced an exciting business opportunity.

Managing Director, Colin Hunter said that discussions were now well under way for the setting up of a joint manufacturing partnership in the Pacific Rim, a new venture for the company.

"For a company that is already export orientated this development offers exciting and almost limitless opportunities", said Mr.Hunter.

The factory extension, which represents an investment of half a million pounds, sees Food Design now housed in one of the most modern and versatile plants in Europe, enabling the company's manufacturing capabilities to be increased by 105% from its previous capacity of 780 tonnes.

This is no mean achievement for a company that when it opened for business nine years ago employed six people, manufactured one basic toffee product and had a turnover of barely GBP120k.

Less than a decade later, staffing levels have risen to 29, over 80 different products are manufactured and the latest year-end figures (April 2006) showed a turnover of GBP2.6 million.

This represents an increase of over 2000% since the company's inception.

Sales of the company's products have increased by 64% when compared with figures for the same period last year, a phenomenal result even for this rapidly expanding company that has regularly produced a growth of between 25 and 30% per year.

Highly technical electronic weighing and temperature control monitors have been installed which will allow every section of the process to be fully observed and recorded.

Processes have been streamlined and improved and two separate packing lines, one for toffee and one for fudge are now in place.

This will enable both products to be manufactured, processed and packed simultaneously.

Exports account for 22% of the company's turnover and continue to rise steadily.

Based on current trends, there is no doubt that this will have risen to at least 25% by the end of the financial year.

Through a network of agents, Food Design products can be enjoyed in the whole of the expanded European community as well as throughout the world.

Following a successful international exhibition in Paris at the end of 2005 agreements were signed with agents in South Africa, China, Japan and, most recently, Canada.

A new state of the art test kitchen has been installed as part of the development and this will allow for closer liaison between customers and the company, enabling the development of the products the consumer enjoys.

Customers will be invited to come to the factory and work with the in-house development team to see for themselves how the company's stable of products work within various applications.

Innovation and bespoke development have long been watchwords of this company and these new facilities will ensure the continuance of this high level of customer service.

Mr Hunter said "Our development strategy programme is built around searching for new ideas and introducing fresh slants for sweet inclusions that provide taste, texture and eye appeal.

Always abreast of the market, our new lines for FIE in London in 2007 are already well advanced".

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