Coffee roaster Matthew Algie is making a multi-million-pound investment at its Glasgow production headquarters.
The investment will take place over two years, with a new bean handling area being the first major piece of work on the timeline.
The expansion plan will add 38 new employees, in addition to the existing 250.
Established more than 150 years ago, the business has seen considerable growth in recent years, with the new strategy set to allow it to roast around 2,500 tonnes of coffee each year.
The project will include the introduction of a new green bean blending system, upgraded automation, new conveying systems and packaging lines.
In addition to the operational improvements, the investment will support plans to become net zero by 2035, with its entire business operations - including supply chain - aiming to hit the target by 2040.
A new green storage area will enable hessian sacks to be replaced with larger one tonne transportation bags that should deliver a 90% manual handling reduction, as well as increased coffee container capacity. Shipping coffee in bulk containers from coffee producing countries to UK ports can increase capacity by 11%, and onward delivery to the Glasgow site should see a 25% capacity increase which will reduce costs and carbon emissions.
Paul Chadderton, managing director at Matthew Algie, said: “This recent round of investment builds additional capacity and will future proof the business to offer even more products to its customers.”
The Glasgow roastery is already carbon neutral, but the firm recently launched a roadmap which details the investment and improvement programmes across the entire business in order to become net zero.
“Equally important is how these improvements will help supercharge our efforts to reach net zero, as by 2035 our operations in the UK and Ireland will be carbon neutral or better, with our entire value supply chain net zero by 2040,“ explained Chadderton.
Matthew Algie’s investment project has been enabled by support from by Scottish Enterprise.
Rhona Allison, managing director of business growth at Scottish Enterprise, said: “This innovative project will enhance the company’s productivity and manufacturing capability, whilst also reducing its carbon emissions, delivering 38 new jobs and safeguarding many existing roles in the process.”
The investment work will be carried out around ongoing production and should be completed by this autumn.
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