Food firm invests in the future

Country Products, based in Tockwith, North Yorkshire, has invested 100,000 in a fourth production line and new equipment.

It has also created three jobs after gaining backing from Yorkshire Bank, Harrogate, as part of its Investing for Growth initiative.

The automated production line, which weighs and bags foods for healthy snacks, ranging from yoghurt-covered raisins to tropical mix and dried mango slices, is playing

a key role in the company's aim to increase turnover this year.

Three years ago, Yorkshire Bank backed Country Products in a 350,000 investment which helped it to install its third production line and move into 10,000 sq ft premises at Centre Park, Tockwith, which is the site of a former munitions factory.

Country Products sources whole foods from around the world and processes, packs and distributes them to a wide range of independent shops in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark and Sweden including health food shops, garden centres, cinemas, theatres, visitor centres, schools and offices.

Managing director, Mark Leather, said: "The heartening aspect about our continuing growth is that it has been achieved without employing sales staff and with minimal marketing costs."