Bells Food Group has doubled pastry production capacity at its factory in Shotts, Lanarkshire, extending its overall capacity to 140t and creating 25 jobs.
With a turnover of £16.2M, the business currently produces 60t of pastry a week and employs 200 people at its two manufacturing and one logistics sites.
New equipment, which includes a pastry laminator and spiral freezer, would enable the company to compete for high-volume commercial pastry requirements across the UK and Ireland, with a view to expanding into export markets.
‘Significantly boost’ production
Bells md Ronnie Miles said the £2.1M first-phase investment would “significantly boost” pastry production levels, allowing the company to “truly compete for the first time in high volume, commercial pastry needs”.
He explained that a number of discussions with potential customers were currently underway.
“We have a range of food manufacturing businesses on our radar that we would like to work with, supplying pastry for sweet and savoury pies, and en-croute products – and having the capability to alter our pastry products to suit,” Miles said.
“To help lead this, we welcome back James Drury, a former chef who has retailer focused new product development experience in the food industry. He will take up the mantle of driving our pastry sales.”
Largest pastry producer
Claimed to be Scotland’s largest producer of professional-quality pastry, Bells offers a diverse range of puff and shortcrust pastry bases, lids, blocks, rolls and lattice cut shapes for the retail and wholesale markets.
The pastry is manufactured using the traditional Scotch method or French method. Butter Enriched pastry is said to be a best-seller.
The latest investment is part of a wider brand development programme that includes new product innovations and new packaging across its pie portfolio, emphasising the quality of the product range and improving shelf visibility.
The brand has also secured additional national listings with Asda across its pie portfolio.
Founded in 1931, Bells is a third-generation Scottish family business. The company claimed 40% of Scottish people buy a Bells product at least once a year.