A new fruit snack factory is set to open in Kent with opportunities for local fruit suppliers and the creation of eight jobs.
Nim’s Fruit Crisps is investing £300,000 in a new facility on Trinity Trading Estate, Sittingbourne, where it will produce dried fruit crisps, made from apple, kiwi, mango, melon, pear, pineapple, orange and strawberry – with plum, watermelon and broccoli in development – local paper Kent Online has reported.
Fruit washers, slicers, peelers, a state-of-the-art drying machine and packaging facilities have been put in place, the paper said, with the venture supported by government-backed scheme Business Growth Service.
Founder Nimisha Raja said she chose the Kent location for its proximity to London and its access to “complementary businesses”.
“Kent in general was chosen because of the abundance of fruit farms which satisfies my aim of using as much British fruit as I can,” she said.
Raja aims to reach a £3 million turnover over three years and plans to further expand the staff base, Kent Online reported.
The Business Growth Service, a government-backed scheme, worked with Raja on the factory’s layout, funded a consultant and advised on staffing and marketing advice.
Raja added: “I never thought this day would come, but it’s great to know that we have full control of our production, quality and distribution.”
'Trinity Trading Estate in particular is in a great location with access to many complementary businesses that I can deal with, including packaging companies, cleaning material suppliers, catering suppliers.”
