Meat wholesaler DB Foods has unveiled a 15,000 sq ft production facility to create products for an “increasing number of retail partnerships” as part of a £3m investment.
DB Foods, which supplies meat, poultry, game, deli and sundry products to its customers, has welcomed guests to the official opening of the factory in Poole, Dorset.
Installation of the facility began in July and the project was completed in October, in time for its first contract of Halloween products for Aldi.
“The new refrigeration technology blew my mind,” said Dr Margaret Boanas, chairman of The International Meat Trade Association, who officially opened the new facility. “Using glycol rather than gas to reduce CO2 emissions is an incredible innovation to address the environmental concerns often levelled at the meat industry.”
Poole Ward representative for BCP Council, and Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley was also impressed: “It was great to see the operation, hear about the efforts DB Foods is making in regards to the environment and sustainability, and also learn of the new job and career opportunities the new facility will create.”
The factory, located in the organisation’s estate that now covers 25,000 sq. ft. at Fulcrum Business Park in Poole, currently employs a team of 90 people. DB Foods said this is set to rise to 130 by the end of January and has a potential up to 150 over the course of the next year.
Graeme Clapp, commercial director at DB Foods, said: “At the heart of the new factory is the concept of an activity flow that increases efficiency and capacity. We can handle product preparation for all types of recipe requirements, from the straight forward to the highly complex.
“We knew we complied with retail standards, but wanted to raise our game by meeting the demands of specific retailers (for example, replacing our loading bays in compliance with Tesco Assured) and environmental standards, both now and in the future.”
The space, which is the result of a £3 million investment, has a projected forecast of a £30 million turnover by 2027.
Gary Smith, chief executive of DB Foods, said: “We would like to thank the guests who came to see our new facility and hear about the tremendous success we have earned over the past year. We cannot wait to get to work and see what 2025 brings.”
