Celtica Foods Ltd is expanding its operations, investing £2.8m in a new purpose built meat processing facility at Cross Hands Food Park and creating and safeguarding more than eighty jobs.
The expansion, which is being supported by £1m grant assistance under the Welsh Government’s repayable business finance scheme, was announced today when Economy Minister Edwina Hart visited Castell Howell Foods, one of the country’s leading independent food wholesalers.
Celtica Foods, an associate company of Castell Howell, currently operates a boning plant at Pensarn in Carmarthen predominantly for farmers producing premium Welsh beef under the Celtic Pride scheme. The meat is then supplied to Castell Howell’s butchery department at Pensarn and also to the specialist meat supplier, Weddel Swift.
The two divisions will now amalgamate, relocating to a 37,000 sq ft purpose built facility adjacent to Castell Howell’s distribution centre at Cross Hands Food Park and trade under the Celtica Foods brand. It will safeguard 49 jobs and create 32 new jobs over five years.
Welcoming the expansion, the Minister said:” I am delighted the Welsh Government is supporting this significant expansion that will create and safeguard jobs in the rural economy.
“The investment will have a very positive impact on the local economy – it will more than double Celtica Food’s current capacity which will open up new market opportunities for Welsh farmers and support the growth of Castell Howell’s meat distribution activities.”
Brian Jones, Managing Director of Castell Howell Foods, said:” Support from the Welsh Government has been invaluable in enabling this expansion project go ahead now in order to meet the growing demand, in particular for premium Welsh beef.
“Customers and consumers are not only looking for top quality produce but want locally sourced produce and beef that can be traced from the plate back to the individual farm.
“The Celtic Pride scheme guarantees this and we are seeing an increased demand as a result. We will double our capacity as a result of this investment, be able to introduce efficiencies and new technologies to meet that demand.”