Photo: Nomad Foods
Nomad Foods, Europe’s largest frozen food company and owner of brands including Birds Eye, Ledo, iglo, Findus and Frikom, has announced a £2.2 million investment in a new potato waffle production line at its Lowestoft manufacturing facility in East Suffolk.
The investment forms part of the company’s wider long-term productivity programme, unveiled last year, which is focused on improving efficiency, competitiveness and scale across its European manufacturing network.
Once operational, the new production line will increase annual potato waffle capacity at the site to approximately 18,250 tonnes, equivalent to nearly 45 million potato waffles per year, helping the business meet growing consumer demand for one of its core frozen food categories.
The latest capital expenditure builds on a broader investment strategy for the Lowestoft facility. Recent projects include a £12 million investment in chicken processing capabilities and ongoing plans to install an on-site wind turbine to support long-term renewable energy supply and cost stability, complementing the green electricity already used at the site.
The investment underscores Nomad Foods’ commitment to strengthening UK food manufacturing and enhancing supply chain resilience at a time of increasing pressure on global food systems.
“This latest investment at our Lowestoft site is testament to our long-term commitment to UK food manufacturing,” said Eduardo Bachiega, Nomad Foods’ Chief Supply Officer. “By increasing our production capacity we’re directly responding to consumer demand for household favourites, such as potato waffles, that are already being manufactured 24/7 at the factory. At a time of increasing pressure on global food systems, as well as ongoing cost-of-living challenges for consumers, we continue to invest in our operations ensuring key frozen food categories such as fish, vegetables, chicken and potatoes remain an accessible food choice for families across the UK and Europe.”
The Lowestoft facility, which began operations in 1949, remains a significant UK food manufacturing hub and is the largest private-sector employer in the local area. Spanning more than 25 acres, the site produces a range of Birds Eye products, including chicken dippers, potato waffles, peas and coated fish.
Around 15% of production is exported to other Nomad Foods markets across Europe, reflecting the site’s growing strategic importance within the company’s wider manufacturing footprint and its role in meeting increasing consumer demand across the region.
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