Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Frederick Hiam Ltd, one of the region’s leading agricultural businesses, says the new, purpose-built factory at Brandon in Suffolk will be opened in July.

At full capacity, the 77,000 sq ft facility will be capable of processing over 50,000 tons of vegetables a year.

The new operation, Frederick Hiam Foods, is the latest expansion by the established, family-owned company.

The investment comes as the farming industry faces increasing demand for diversity and ‘added value’ products, from the foodservice, catering and retail customers.

Managing Director Christopher Wilson said: “The new factory will enable Frederick Hiam Ltd to further build on our market strength, by responding to the changing needs of consumers.

“By integrating food processing into our farming business we are able to offer huge benefits to our customers who are looking for quality and flexibility.

“By diversifying and expanding into new markets we can increase our competitiveness and secure the long term future or our own farming operation and other farming partners in the area.

“Our traditional farming methods mean we can offer traceability from plough to plate.”

A team of industry specialists has been appointed to head the new operation and recruitment for factory staff begins in May, through local job centres.

With a heritage spanning over 75 years, Frederick Hiam Ltd is one of the country’s major producers of root vegetables.

The new factory will wash, grade and prepare locally grown carrots, parsnips, onions and potatoes plus a host of other vegetables.

The company farms over 9,000 acres across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Pembrokeshire, managed from Ixworth Thorpe near Bury St Edmunds.

The business currently employs 78 people.