On October 21, 2011, Woods Hardwick proudly unveiled the state-of-the-art Adams Food Ingredients (AFI) factory in Leek, Staffordshire. The grand opening was a significant milestone, showcasing meticulous architectural design and strategic planning to meet the growing demands of the food industry.
The event attracted a notable audience, including representatives from South Morlands District Council, such as Council Leader Sybil Ralphs and Executive Director Dai Larner. Local UK Conservative MP Karen Bradley, the Mayor and Mayoress of Leek, Barrie Cowie and Jean Cowie, and members of the design and contractor teams were also in attendance.
Vincent Buckley, Chairman of the Irish Dairy Board (IDB), and CEO Kevin Lane emphasized the economic ties between England and Ireland and the significance of the UK market to the IDB. Irish Agriculture Minister Shane McEntee delivered a few words before cutting the ceremonial 'Green Ribbon,' officially opening the facility.
The new 7,000 square meter facility, located adjacent to the Kerrygold factory, represents a significant upgrade from AFI's previous building. This project was initiated to align AFI with other IDB manufacturing facilities across the UK and Europe, addressing increased global demand and stringent industry requirements.
AFI specializes in producing a variety of dairy ingredients, including cheese flavors, whey protein, and lactose, as well as technical ingredients like texturizers, emulsifiers, and stabilizers. The new facility allows AFI to explore a broader range of products and technologies, positioning them for future growth.
The facility's design incorporates a phased development approach, ensuring that AFI can easily adapt to business growth. This forward-thinking strategy provides the necessary space and infrastructure to support both short-term and long-term expansion plans.
Lars Huntley, Associate Director at Woods Hardwick, expressed his satisfaction with the project:
"It's great to finally see the factory open and in operation. So many factors had to be taken into consideration when planning the design of the building, such as internal traffic and people flows, the requirement to meet strict hygiene protocols, the number of staff employed, and the time needed for them to get to various locations within the building. It's taken a lot of hard work and meticulous detailing, but the end result is fantastic. AFI now has an exemplar plant offering leading-edge provision. We're delighted with the end product and so are they!"
The new AFI facility not only meets current industry standards but also sets a benchmark for future projects. With the global dairy market projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.14% from 2021 to 2026 (source: Mordor Intelligence), AFI is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth.
The unveiling of the new Adams Food Ingredients facility marks a significant achievement for Woods Hardwick and AFI. This modern, adaptable, and meticulously designed factory not only meets current demands but also paves the way for future innovations and expansions in the food industry.
For more information on the latest trends and developments in the dairy industry, visit Dairy UK and Mordor Intelligence.
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