ForFarmers has announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility on its Exeter site to replace the current mill. The project will create one of the largest, most-efficient feed mills in the UK – and the largest in the South-west.
The new facility, which is still subject to planning permission, will represent an investment of more than £10 million and will take up to 18 months to complete. The development is consistent with ForFarmers Horizon 2020 strategy for providing a full range of best-in-class nutritional solutions to farm businesses.
“Our customers will benefit from a state-of-the-art production facility, second to none in the UK, that will produce products with superior product quality and with a new level of efficiency within the UK industry,” ForFarmers UK chief operating officer Iain Gardner said. “We intend to combine the current Exeter blend plant and compound mill to create a high-capacity multi-species production facility with the capability to manufacture up to 300,000t annually (current capacity 150,000t).
“Having introduced tanker delivery vehicles to the UK, allowing safer, quieter and more product-friendly delivery, this investment will allow their increased use and so we’ll also be expanding this fleet of vehicles.”
ForFarmers’ Extere project will also result in a step change in feed safety and staff welfare, and provide sustainability benefits due to improved energy efficiency.
Mr Gardner added the major investment in the South-west reaffirmed the company’s support to its customer base in the area. Furthermore, it represented another significant investment in the UK industry by ForFarmers, demonstrating long-term commitment to its UK business and UK agriculture.