Leading prepared produce supplier Beacon Foods has unveiled plans to open an upgraded vegetables preparation plant, product development kitchen and customer suite in the coming months.

The Brecon-based company, which has increased turnover by 20 per cent to £7.5 million in the last year, has undertaken a £150,000-project to upgrade a neighbouring unit.

The new high-care area is to be used to develop product samples and carry out trials for customers, while the development kitchen will produce the finished product.

Beacon Foods bosses said they aim to ensure the firm's 30,000 sq ft processing plant is used to its full advantage.

Managing director Edward Gough said: 'Our target as a whole is to fill the production capacity of the new processing plant. For example, our roast section is only working to 60 per cent capacity at the moment.' He added: '2001 was a very successful year for the company. The success has been built on a lot of hard work by everyone involved in the company, a lot of expenditure and the very good service we offer to our customers.'