2 minute read
Edible Oils to invest £23.6m to increase production capacity
An investment programme worth almost £24m is underway at Edible Oils Limited (EOL) in Erith, which produces more than 100 million litres of cooking oil every year.
The strategic development programme is significantly upgrading vital infrastructure across the site, boosting production capacity and capabilities, and enhancing efficiency to support its growth plans.
As a result of the works, Edible Oils will be able to increase its production capacity by around 50% at the site, reduce its carbon footprint and introduce new packaging formats across its product range.
Edible Oils is investing £23.6m upgrading its bottling plant in Erith to increase production capacity by 50% / Picture: Edible Oils
The core investment project at Erith is set to continue over a two-year period, during which the factory will remain fully operational. As part of the project, a new state-of-the-art production line and palletising solution will be installed and commissioned. The works will also involve the construction of a fully enclosed warehouse, a new staff car park with extensive EV charging capabilities, and the development of an expanded dry goods warehouse.
Kim Matthews, commercial director at EOL, said: “We are thrilled to be in position to progress with our ambitious plans for our Erith site, which are a major part of our commitment to UK manufacturing and providing long-term, high quality employment opportunities in the area.
“We have overcome some significant challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic to reach this point, and we are now ready to deliver state of the art equipment, better energy efficiency and increased production capabilities.”
Edible Oils – a 50/50 joint venture between Princes and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) – is the UK’s largest producer of packaged oils for the retail sector, supplying over 50% of the UK’s customer own brand and branded seed oil volume. The Erith site forms the hub of EOL’s cooking oil production and bottles brands including Crisp ‘n’ Dry, Flora and Mazola Corn Oil.
The Erith site is one of the largest employers in the area, and its operations support a number of regional jobs in businesses and industries that provide raw materials and services.