Alpro commences operations of first phase of £28.5m investment at Burton Latimer

Plant-based food manufacturer Alpro has opened the first phase of its newly extended production facility at Burton Latimer, near Kettering in the UK; bolstered by an investment of £28.5m.

With the expansion, the facility will be able to meet the growing demand for almond, hazelnut, soya, oat and coconut drinks.

The investment will double the facility’s production, and has already led to the creation of 35 new jobs, which will increased further to 50 later in the year.

The investment at the site has been used for the construction of a new building, fitted with production equipment that includes two complete new filling lines.

Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Livingston said at the opening ceremony: "Alpro is a success story. This major commitment to the Burton Latimer site sends a very clear and positive message about innovation and excellence in the UK food and drink industry, and the benefits of using the support available from UKTI."

Headquartered in Belgium, Alpro specialises in the production of soya-based drinks and food products, including margarines, desserts and plant-based alternatives to yoghurt and cream. Its product-range now also includes drinks based on almonds, hazelnuts, rice and oat.

Alpro commercial director Sue Garfitt said: "Innovation and investment are of vital importance to Alpro. In recent years, we’ve witnessed strong growth, developing from a company only marketing soya-based products, into one focusing on more ingredients such as almond, hazelnut, oat, and coconut, and on several categories such as drinks, plant-based alternatives to yoghurt and cream, and desserts.

"To be able to maintain this growth, we will have to continue to invest strongly, and the commitment we have made to this site demonstrates the huge potential we see in the UK."

---

Image: Metin Fevzi-Hunt, Alpro UK Plant Director, shows elements of the company’s new plant extension to Lord Livingston, Minister of State for Trade and Investment. Photo: courtesy of Alpro.