The new site on the Castleham industrial estate will provide additional space for BD Foods, which operates from eight other units in the area.
The factory unit was built by local firm Westridge Construction, as part of Hastings Borough Council’s programme for income generation. BD Foods is to be a tenant of the building.
Labour councillor Peter Chowney said BD Foods’s expansion would boost the local economy by creating new jobs at the modern, energy efficient unit.
40 new jobs
“BD Foods already operates from eight units at Castleham and this one will allow them to expand their food production further, creating 40 new jobs in the process. We look forward to seeing their future and continued success her in Hastings,” he added.
John Davis, md of BD Foods, said Hastings Borough Council had provided a valuable opportunity to grow the business. The firm’s expansion meant the it would create new jobs at the factory, he added.
“I would also like to thank Westridge, the builders of our new unit – a great firm to work alongside, with very high standards,” he said.
‘Met all deadlines’
“We are moving all our cooking kit into the new unit over the next two weeks and will be up and running again very soon – all our planning actually met all the deadlines in reality. In summary, a great project working with great people to a common aim.”
BD Foods produces sauces, dips, dressings, soups, marinades and fruit compotes for the foodservice sector. Its clients include Domino Pizza, Waitrose and 2 Sisters-owned restaurant chain Giraffe.
Meanwhile, earlier this month 2 Sisters Food Group planned to create 100 new jobs “across all levels” at its Derby factory, just over a year on from rescuing the site from administrators.
The poultry giant had already added 500 jobs after buying the facility from Asian ready meals specialist S&A Foods in December 2015.