Bells Food Group has unveiled plans to invest £500,000 in its first cake bakery, with the aim of boosting exports by 30 per cent in its first year.
The baker, which last year turned over £16.2 million, has acquired a 4,500 sq ft former council depot next to its Dykehead Bakery in Shotts.
The expansion, which will create an additional 10 permanent jobs when it is fully operational in around 15 months, will see cake manufacturing move into the new facility and the existing Dykehead Bakery focus solely on pastry manufacturing.
The Bells range of cakes and dumpling, includes the famous Kirriemuir Gingerbread.
This move follows a £3.6m investment in doubling its pastry production capacity at Dykehead and the creation of Bells Professional Pastry, a dedicated arm of the business focused on the manufacture and supply of quality pastry.
Ronnie Miles, managing director of Bells Food Group said: “The investment in a dedicated cake bakery is the latest in a programme of capital expenditure and new product development across our businesses. Subject to the scope of redevelopment work required, we hope to have it fully operational by Christmas 2018.”
Councillor Jim Logue, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said the move was “superb news”.
“When I became leader I made it clear that I wanted North Lanarkshire to be seen as a place that is open for business and this announcement by Bells illustrates perfectly the vision I have for businesses to flourish in our area,” he said.
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