Princes installs new canning line at its largest UK site

Princes has installed a new flexible canning line for ready meals at its Long Sutton site, as part of a larger £80 million investment programme.

The installation marks the completion of another phase in its £80 million project to future-proof the facility; the largest capital investment in its UK manufacturing facilities to date.

The development programme has so far included the opening of a new pea plant in 2019, the installation of a raw material warehouse and ingredients processing kitchen, as well as new staff facilities.

Located in Lincolnshire, Long Sutton is the group’s largest food production site in the UK. It produces a range of peas, pulses, beans, fruits and ready meals for Princes, Branston and Batchelors, as well as customer own brands.

With the ability to fill up to 3 million cans per week, Princes says the new line is anticipated to increase overall capacity at the site by over 10%. The line will pack cans in three different sizes, using four different types of filler.

Ruth Simpson, group director of foods and marketing at Princes, said: “We are delighted to be at this exciting stage of our £80 million investment programme at Long Sutton, with joint commissioning of a new canning line, hydrostat cooker and ingredients processing kitchen now underway.

“Through increasing efficiencies and boosting production, this development programme is a crucial part of our ongoing efforts to future-proof the site and provide high quality employment opportunities in the area for years to come.”

With product trials underway, the new canning line is expected to be fully operational this month. As a result of the upgrade, Princes reports that over 50 new employees joined the Long Sutton site in 2020.

Princes says it remains on track to reach the final milestones of its development project over the next few months, with plans to install a new soft water plant and anaerobic digester.