The firm supplies ingredients such as pastes to ready-meal manufacturers, supermarkets and the foodservice sector. It operates from two factory buildings in Sevenoaks but has now acquired the adjacent site on the same industrial estate, where it is building a larger factory space, a high-care facility, and presentation and development kitchens for new product development.
"We want a space dedicated to new ventures," said Jardox md Alex Gardener. "We've also just employed a new innovation manager for blue-sky development. We're open to changing markets."
Jardox makes pastes for barbecue products and ethnic foods. The new kitchens will enable its chefs to develop more bespoke products for its clients.
"Ready meal manufacturers always want new world foods. It's about having the ability to provide our customers with what they want," he said.
In addition to supplying its existing customer base, Jardox is expanding into the new area of ready-to-eat foods and will be making fillings for sandwich manufacturers.
As well as allowing Jardox to expand its production capability, the new site will also house a disaster recovery facility, warehouses and offices. It is due for completion in December 2012.