Wales Business, Deals, Manufacturing Stephen Farrell

A Brecon-based food company is set to expand its production facility, supported by investment from the Welsh Government.

Beacon Foods plans to more than double the size of its existing 36,000 sq ft factory on a 3.8-acre site on Brecon Enterprise Park over the next three years.

The company aims to develop new products and secure more business in an increasingly competitive market.

The investment, backed by Welsh Government funding, will safeguard the existing workforce of 120 and create new managerial positions.

The first phase of the expansion will increase the production area and introduce new cooking methods to broaden the company's product range. The second phase will increase the temperature controlled storage areas for frozen and chilled products.

Chairman Edward Gough, who co-founded the business with his mother, Rae, said: "Over the past 24 years, we have built up a strong business supplying our customers with high quality ingredients backed up with great customer service and have continually invested in our business in terms of facilities, equipment, staff and innovation.

"This new investment will put the business in a great place for the next 10 to 15 years. We operate in a very competitive market and our investment, supported by the Welsh Government grant, will make us even more competitive, which will benefit the company and our customers."

Grant aid has been awarded by the Welsh Government's Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Lesley Griffiths, cabinet secretary for environment and rural affairs, added: "This is further evidence of the success of the Welsh food and drink sector and the effectiveness of our strategy to support it. Here in Wales we have forged a reputation for developing unique, high quality products and the industry is already more than half way towards reaching our target of 30 per cent growth from 2014 to 2020."

Beacon Foods' products are on sale in major retailers, quick service restaurants, independent food companies, the food service industry, airlines and trains.