WHO WE ARE WHAT WE DO WHO WE HELP OUR BRANDS HOME WINTERBOTHAM DARBY LAUNCHES SECOND PLANT-BASED FACTORY Winterbotham Darby launches second plant-based factory At Winterbotham Darby we’ve officially opened our second plant-based factory, to support our SQUEAKY BEAN brand. The investment transforms our Milton Keynes production site, boosting distribution, product development and creating more than 100 jobs Our 48,000ft² facility will significantly boost Squeaky Bean’s production and distribution capabilities in the chilled plant-based market*. “Our second plant-based factory will help us to fulfil both existing and new opportunities and is testament to our belief in the category.” Tom Faulkner, Head of Plant-Based. This marks the second stage our plant-based journey, with the first plant-based manufacturing site having been finalised in September 2020. Combined, both factories will have a 73,000ft² footprint. Already, the new Milton Keynes site has received a British Retail Consortium (BRC) A grade in its audit. Further, the installation of a griller in the factory will open up additional opportunities for new product lines to be created in the plant-based category where success is often founded in innovative new product development (NPD). In the last 12 months, Squeaky Bean has launched 14 new products, and it is planned that the additional grilling capacity will build on the success of Squeaky Bean’s Chargrilled Mini Fillets (see below). The company uses the latest food innovation and state of the art equipment to create what Winterbotham Darby states to be ‘the most realistic vegan chicken alternative on the market’. Tom Faulkner, head of plant-based at Winterbotham Darby, says: “Demand for plant-based produce is increasing rapidly and in recent months our operations have been stretched to capacity. Opening our second plant-based factory will help us to fulfil both existing and new opportunities and is testament to our belief in the category. As UK consumers’ expectations of plant-based food increase, more people are discovering how Squeaky Bean Chargrilled Mini Fillets offer all the taste and texture of real chicken – but are made entirely from plants. Our additional production capacity will support strong demand for these products and allow us to introduce these and the rest of the range, to a bigger audience than ever before.” More than 100 jobs have been created by the investment, which is part of the UK’s growing plant-based economy. This reflects the government’s NATIONAL FOOD STRATEGY, which recommends investment in plant-based food brands and sets out aims for a 30% reduction in meat intake across the UK population. * Squeaky Bean has already driven growth, making a total turnover of £2.4 million in the 52 weeks preceding 24th January 2021 alone. For recruitment at Milton Keynes please contact CONTACT MATTHEW COLLIS. Winterbotham Darby calls for a strong EU law to protect forests and natural ecosystems Squeaky House launches – first food creator house August 23, 2021 3 minute read SHARE THIS Other stories you might like SEE MORE COMPANY NEWS FOLLOWING their acquisition by PAI Partners, earlier this year, Winterbotham Darby and Addo Food Group and have announced today that they will come together under a new company name – The Compleat Food Group. The move will see the two… October 6, 2021 COMPANY NEWS Winterbotham Darby brand Squeaky Bean has launched its most ambitious and exciting marketing campaign yet – the Squeaky House. This week seven UK social media stars entered the ‘Squeaky House’, the world’s first food creator house. … September 14, 2021 COMPANY NEWS Winterbotham Darby is urging the European Commission to propose an ambitious law to address EU-driven global deforestation and protect natural ecosystems, in a statement released today with another 42 European companies. As a company committed to … May 25, 2021 Our instagram FOLLOW US Who we are What we do Who we help Our brands Sustainability News Get in touch Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy & Cookies Modern Day Slavery Statement Winterbotham Darby tax strategy Sitemap Delivering happiness through food