Natures Way Foods (NWF) has announced the official opening of its £15 million Merston factory at Chichester Food Park in West Sussex.
The facility stands on the site of theWWII airbase RAF Merston and provides 7,500m2 of manufacturing space, dedicated to producing prepared fruit products and salad meals. The factory also gives NWF the capacity to manufacture high-care, protein-based products.
Providing approximately a 200 per cent increase in capacity for the business, the factory design includes specialised temperature storage areas to allow for precise handling of a wide variety of produce as well as new chilling and processing techniques and environment control systems.
Gary Kilhams, factory manager said: “The new site has transformed our fruit and salad meals processing abilities. The opportunities now available to innovate with both products and processes, are extremely exciting.”
Designed with the environment in mind, the factory roof reflects heat and reduces energy costs. A roof drainage system captures rainwater and channels it into neighbouring wildlife ponds, and, as with the factory, the office air-conditioning system also reclaims heat. The building incorporates full-height windows to maximise natural light into the high care areas.
At the front of the building, the two-storey office section also features an innovation kitchen and a 100- seat canteen for employees, with panoramic views of the South Downs.
Richard Parr, operations director said: “We are very proud of our new Merston factory and believe we have created a unique facility that is both innovative, green, a great place for our people to work, and puts NWF at the forefront of fresh-produce manufacturing.”
The factory’s fruit capacity is 380 tonnes a day and 180t of salad bowls, increasing capacity by 170 and 200 per cent respectively.
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