Page 4. Farming Express
West Wales potato supplier to some of the UK's biggest supermarkets to ramp up production following major investment
Withybush Puffin Produce supplies some of the biggest UK supermarkets
with potatoes sourced from farms across West Wales
A farmer-owned fresh food supplier based in Pembrokeshire has had a major
injection of cash allowing it to create jobs both within the company and
among its farm suppliers.
Puffin Produce has significantly increased capacity at its Withybush plant
near Haverfordwest after a £850,000 investment, supported by Barclays to
introduce two new state of the art packing lines.
Puffin Produce is three-quarters of the way into an £8.4m investment
programme that has enhanced key areas of its operation
“We have replaced two out of the three packing lines in the factory with state
of the art equipment. That has doubled throughput from 40 to 80 bags per
minute per line,” said managing director of Puffin Produce, Huw Thomas.
“We’ve also added more than 8,000 tonnes of highly efficient potato storage
and expanded the vegetable operation,” he added.
These and other improvements have enabled Puffin Produce to take on new
customers. It now supplies Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, M&S and Sainsbury’s
stores throughout Wales.
As a result of this enhanced business performance, Puffin has created 25 new
jobs within the company and a similar number in the farming community.
Almost half of the total investment funding came from the EU Rural
Development Programme, (Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme) through
the Welsh Assembly’s Food and Marketing Development Division (FMDD).
The remainder of the funding is based on a mixture of asset finance and
long-term loans.
“We have worked closely with Barclays to fund a 51% share of the total
spend, and manage our cashflow throughout,” said Mr Thomas.
Future plans include enhancements to the despatch area. An anaerobic
digestion facility is also planned, using ‘outgrade’ potatoes to provide on-site
heat and electricity.
“We have very loyal Welsh consumers who give regional sourcing a strong
foundation,” said Mr Thomas.
“In return, they know where their potatoes are coming from. And reducing
the food miles between field and fork is good for the environment too.”Puffin
Produce was formed in 1995, evolving from the Pembrokeshire Potato
Marketing Group. Its Blas Y Tir brand handles fresh produce grown and
packed in Wales.
The company is 51% farmer owned with 18 farmer shareholder growers based
in Pembrokeshire and three programmed growers in the Wye Valley.
The remaining 49% is owned by a private investor.
The company employs 75 staff with a £12m turnover, packing 28,000 tonnes
of potatoes each year as well as providing a seasonal supply of cauliflower,
savoy cabbage, green cabbage, leeks, and daffodils.
Most of potatoes are grown within a 15-mile radius of the plant.
Stephen Crabb MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire said: “I am delighted to see
Puffin Produce going from strength to strength. The recent injection of funds
by Barclays will ensure this popular local business can invest in the most
modern equipment and enable them to create more job opportunities locally.
“Puffin Produce has a strong brand that has really put Pembrokeshire on the
map in recent years. This further goods news reflects a positive outlook for
jobs and business growth in our county.
“I look forward to visiting Puffin in the next few weeks and seeing for myself
the latest step in their business expansion programme.”
Marc Blockwell, relationship director at Barclays added: “Barclays has
developed a great working relationship with Puffin Produce to deliver
a finance solution to help facilitate this exciting expansion and major
investment program.
“The company is also one of many Welsh businesses to benefit from the
Barclays ‘cashback’ scheme whereby a cash injection was given back to the
customer to re-invest into the business.
“Barclays is committed to using our industry expertise and specialists to
support such propositions, which enable Welsh businesses like Puffin Produce
to compete and win contracts with major brands, creating local jobs and
delivering real benefits to the local economy.”
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