Bilston food processor invests £10m in new operation
A WOLVERHAMPTON poultry processor is to invest £10m in an expansion that will create more than 150 jobs after planning permission was granted for its new venture.
Bilston-based Salisbury Poultry is to create a state-of-the-art processing plant in Wrexham following approval from councillors there. The new project will be branded Maelor Poultry and based on a former First Milk site which was closed a year ago.
The backing of the council unlocks an initial £10m investment by Salisbury Poultry, already a leader in the UK’s poultry processing sector. The company is family owned with strong values, traditions, and a history of organic growth since 1989. It already employs more than 400 full-time staff at its Bilston site.
The Maelor Poultry project has been enthusiastically backed by the Welsh Government because it meets its commitment to working with new food business investors in Wales, under the recently launched Food and Drink Action Plan.
The company, which has a turnover in excess of £70m annually, has pledged to work with the Government and other local agencies in a bid to recruit from disadvantaged parts of the area, as well as providing opportunities to those who lost their jobs with the closure of First Milk, which previously occupied the site.
Stephen Hammond, Commercial Director, Salisbury Poultry, said: “We are delighted to have the support and approval of the council to go ahead with this major project that will bring a £10m investment and 150-plus jobs to Wrexham and the surrounding area, as well as more jobs in the supply chain that will be needed to support our venture.
“A lot of hard work and commitment has gone into reaching this point and we very much appreciate receiving the backing of the Welsh Assembly Government.”
Approximately 50 skilled and administrative personnel along with more than 100 production operatives will be required at the site, which is expected to open within 12 to 18 months following enhancements and the installation of necessary equipment. The site is expected to process up to 122 tonnes of poultry per day.
