Global food giant Mars has announced that it would invest £23m to expand its King's Lynn facility in the UK to meet the growing demand for Uncle Ben's Ready to Heat rice.
The company plans to make the investment to add a new production line at the facility and complete it by early 2017.
Mars Food, Western Europe & Russia regional president Michael Ryan was quoted by Eastern Daily Press as saying: “The latest investment at our King’s Lynn site shows our continued commitment to investing and growing the site which manufactures some of the UK’s favourite family brands, including Uncle Ben’s and Dolmio.”
The expansion is expected to create 28 additional jobs at the facility, which currently employs nearly 300 people.
Environment secretary and South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss said: “Around the world, Britain is rightly seen as a great place to invest with our £100bn food and drink industry renowned for high-quality produce and forward-looking innovation.
“This significant investment by Mars is a real vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business, creating jobs locally and helping drive economic growth for the nation.”
The company has also invested £6m to upgrade the office facilities at the same Norfolk-based site.
The new facilities are part of the company’s efforts to make its operations carbon neutral by 2040.
The newly opened office features a living green roof made with heather, carbon dioxide controllers in meeting rooms, automated blinds to prevent animals being disturbed by lights from the building and automated window opening mechanisms to aid energy efficiency, Lynn News reported.
Ryan said: “We have been investing in this site for the last 15 years. This is the next stage.
“Our focus is on expanding the site. Rice is a growth area for us in the UK and our overseas markets.”
