Country Products invests in expansion plans

FOOD firm Country Products has added a new production line and created three new jobs after securing new funding.

The new automated production line at its Tockwith premises is an important part of the firm’s aim to increase turnover by 10% in 2010.

Yorkshire Bank has supported the £100,000 investment as Country Products looks to meet growing consumer  demand for healthy snacks.

Managing director Mark Leather said: “The heartening aspect about our continuing growth is that it has been achieved without employing sales staff and with minimal marketing costs.

“All our growth and investment has been to keep pace with growing customer demand as people in the countries we supply have embraced a healthier diet.

“While we produce a whole range of products in different sizes of packs, the fastest growth and main focus of the new production line, is the healthy snacks market where demand for individual-portion products continues to grow rapidly as people turn away from traditional chocolate bars or biscuits as a snack and turn to something which will do them more good.”

Country Products was set up by Mr Leather in 1983 as a sole trader and now has a turnover of £1.3m and a staff of 20 including his daughter Joanne.

Yorkshire Bank had previously supported the company in a £350,000 investment for its third production line and a its premises at Centre Park, Tockwith.

Mark Iley, business manager at Yorkshire Bank in Harrogate, said: “Let’s hope that Country Product’s growing number of customers are in as good health as this first-rate small businesses which we are pleased to support as it continues to grow and create jobs.”