Florette, the top selling prepared salad specialist in Europe and the UK is to open a fifth factory at Cambrai, northern France, to develop closer links with other European markets for its dynamic market-leading brand.

The new state-of-the-art plant in Actipole, Cambrai, represents an investment of 20 million Euros (£13.4 million) for the Florette Group. It will be operational next year, employing a workforce of 300.

The new factory joins Florette's taskforce of processing sites across Europe, with two factories in France, at Lessay, Normandy and Isle Sur La Sorgue (Vacluse), the modern site in Spain at Milagro (Navarre) and its UK operation in Lichfield (Staffordshire), which has seen impressive growth since its opening in 1999.

Announcing the development in Cambrai, director general Louis Marie Le Coutour said: 'Cambrai in northern France has been selected by Florette for its latest factory because of its proximity to other European markets where demand for ready-to-eat salads and vegetables is in constant growth.

'Close links with other European markets and highest levels of service are a top priority for Florette,' added Mr Le Coutour.

'The new factory will incorporate ultra-modern technology from all current sites,' he added.

Florette's UK commercial director Mark Newton said: 'The new Cambrai factory is part of Florette's ever-growing success story, which has contributed to its trend-setting status as Europe's number one prepared salad brand.' Last year the Florette Group achieved a turnover of 240 million Euros (£l50 million) and employs over 2,000 people Europe-wide.

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