£275,000 investment in the South West
29 June 2009
Branston is investing £275,000 in its Somerset site as it continues to enjoy increased demand. The company, which employs 150 at its Seavington St Michael factory, is introducing hi-tech weighing and packing machinery to further increase the efficiency of its salad potato line.
Currently the production line can handle 60 bags per minute but following the installation of a new high speed multi-head weigher, the factory is now capable of handling up to 110 bags per minute. The £60,000 Ishida weigher will be complemented by a £180,000 CPS Tray Packer and a £35,000 Garvens checkweigher, which will be delivered and installed in November.General Manager at the site, Ian Wait said: “We’re enjoying a really successful period of growth at the moment and this investment in new machinery will help improve our efficiencies. Salad potatoes are packed all year round but demand increases significantly at this time of year. At present we’re only able to pack 60 bags per minute, but once this new machinery is installed and operational, we’ll be capable of handling up to 110 bags per minute.”Branston acquired its South West business from Stemwest Produce in 1997 and has since invested over £6.5 million in developing the factory by installing the latest machinery, modernising staff facilities and innovating across all departments.