Investment at the firm’s Bugle site will make the plant the UK’s largest de-boning facility. It will also ensure the firm retains its capability to produce traditional cure and smoked pork products.
Tulip’s Redruth site will receive a modern air drying and linear curing facility that will result in business growing by about 40%, it said.
While the expansion plans are subject to final approval, work is expected to start on the project this autumn, with completion scheduled for the first half of next year. A decision on the planning application is expected within the next two months.
Tulip ceo Chris Thomas said: “This is a very exciting time for our business and for Cornwall. When our investment programme has been completed we will have created an additional 250 new jobs, which is fantastic news for the whole region.
‘Investment programme’
“I am delighted that our parent company Danish Crown has chosen to invest in this region, a decision due, in the main, to the skill and commitment of our colleagues here in Cornwall, the encouragement and support we have received from local government, regional agencies and in particular local MP Stephen Gilbert.”
The investment programme is part funded by a government regional fund grant of £4.8M.
The firm – which produces fresh pork and bacon as well as cooked and canned meats – also operates a plant in Bodmin.
Cooked and canned meats
In May, Tulip invested £2.3M in what it claimed to be the UK’s largest facility dedicated to barbecue, slow-cooked and pulled-meat products at Wednesbury in the Midlands. The investment – which created 80 new jobs – was made in response to growing interest in street food and US dishes, said the firm.
Investment at Wednesbury focused on new preparation equipment, large-scale smoking ovens and a packaging line at the 3,000m2 site, acquired as part of its purchase of Parkam Foods in 2011.
Tulip operates 17 fresh and cooked meat sites across the UK, employing about 7,500 people.
The business is owned by The Danish Crown group – Europe’s largest pork producer.
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