A catering equipment firm has been given the go-ahead to expand in a move that retains jobs in a Gwynedd town.
Metcalfe Catering Equipment, a manufacturing and distribution company, has been based in Blaenau Ffestiniog for more than 60 years. And with the distribution side of the company booming, it needed a warehouse to meet increased demand.
Established in 1928, the fourth generation family-run business has grown to become one of the UK’s premier manufacturers and suppliers of commercial food preparation equipment.
The firm manufactures a range of mixers, slicers, peelers, chippers and vegetable preparation units.
With space an issue, Metcalfe warned that failure to secure the planning green light could see it forced to relocate its 25-strong workforce, a further blow to the North Wales town that suffers from post-industrial problems.
Now planning permission has been granted by Gwynedd council and work is underway.
Managing director Neil Richards commented: “We have continued to grow our business significantly over the past few years and this has put a huge strain on the space and logistics that we have in our existing premises.
“In order to support the growth on both the distribution side and the manufacturing side of the business and create more employment opportunities it became essential for us to increase our factory and warehouse space.
“Our options were to relocate the business to bigger premises or expand our existing premises in Blaenau Ffestiniog, our favoured option was always to stay in Blaenau if possible to support the area and the employees that have been very loyal and supportive of our business over the past 65 years. I am therefore delighted that planning was approved and that the expansion of the factory and warehouse are well underway.
“Once the project is complete, it will allow us to modernise our manufacturing and assembly facility and become more efficient and competitive.”
Richards added: “The new warehouse will allow us to hold and manage stock more efficiently so that we are better able to meet the demands placed on us by our customers thorough the UK and Europe. The development will hopefully mean that as we grow we will create more employment opportunities in the local area.”
