The facility will focus on producing Frank Roberts’ traditional branded bread and can make 7,000 loaves an hour. Burton-based Lorien Engineering Solutions oversaw its planning and design.
FoodManufacture.co.uk understands the factory is highly automated and employs less than 10 people per shift.
It is the latest in a series of major investment projects Lorien has managed for the family business in the past six years.
Eco-friendly
The facility boasted a range of eco-friendly features, such as low energy meters and lighting, Phil Colquhoun, senior project manager at Lorien, told this site.
The exact amount of cash spent on the unit has not been disclosed, but he said: “We succeeded in building a plant which many major PLCs could not have done for the same money.
“The significantly increased output that this new factory brings will further cement Frank Roberts’ already strong reputation as a UK market leader.”
He said the factory’s construction had taken six months and the installation of process equipment had taken about 12 weeks.
New build
The project was the first completely new factory build Frank Roberts had undertaken in at least 30 years, Colquhoun claimed.
Previous investments managed and designed by Lorien have included a four-phase project which added 3,000m2 of floor space to the firm’s manufacturing base, transforming its distribution and extending its product range. The contractor was John Sisk and Son.
Established in 1887, the Frank Roberts Group comprises three main business divisions, the Northwich site being home to two of them – Roberts Bakery and Little Treats. In addition Frank Roberts also owns and operates Aldred’s The Bakers in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.