Dicksons set to open new factory extension in March 2011
Family-owned Dicksons owns around 20 shops in Northeast England that sell its produce ranging from pies, pastries and sausages to bacon, cold meats, sandwiches and bread.
But the firm also supplies supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and in late September won a deal with Asda to supply 21 stores in Northeast England with bacon and sausages.
Elena Dickson, marketing and product development manager at the firm, told FoodManufacture.co.uk that Dicksons hoped to open its £1m factory extension by March 2011, since “we’re almost up to capacity in some areas”.
She explained that Dicksons began work in September on a factory extension to increase capacity and new machinery, specifically in relation to “high care, low care” areas for savoury (principally bakery) products.
Investing to win business
Dickson added that the additional 575m2 will allow an uplift in savoury production of approximately 15 tonnes per week, and would generate “a couple of extra jobs”.
“Our intention with the build is also to win more contracts, and provide more manufacturing space in order to fulfil more big orders,” said Dickson, adding that the firm was always looking to generate more business, diversifying so that volumes weren't wholly reliant upon one big contract.
She said that Dicksons had recently opened a new retail outlet in central Gateshead, while the firm also had plans for a “new retailing concept” based somewhere in the Northeast.
Managing director Michael Dickson said: “We hope that the improved facilities will fuel the ongoing expansion of our retail and wholesale business, allowing us to significantly increase production capabilities and operate more efficiently, yet remain true to our core values and heritage of producing quality food for the local market.”
