Published:29 November 2013

Business Secretary Vince Cable visited the Morrisons Farmers Boy processing site in Bradford today to see the company’s investment in the future of its manufacturing operation.


The supermarket has invested more than £31 million over the past 18 months in its Farmers Boy site alone, bringing a new pie preparation room, improvements to existing factory equipment and 150 new jobs.

Work on a brand new quiche line is ongoing and the £6.5 million development is expected to bring 50 new jobs to the site when it is completed in the new year.

The investment is part of Morrisons’ commitment to making more of the food it sells than any other supermarket, a focus which has made it the second biggest fresh food manufacturer in the UK.

Morrisons has its own meat, produce, fish, bread and even flower factories among its 17 sites across the UK – giving it unrivalled control of the quality of the products sold in its stores.

On top of the financial commitment made at Farmers Boy, Morrisons has taken on more than 250 apprentices in its manufacturing operation this year and Dr Cable met some of the 49 apprentices at Farmers Boy during his tour.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The manufacturing sector is vital to building a stronger economy – supporting 2.5 million jobs and contributing almost £140 billion a year to the UK. As this week's Manufacturing Advisory Service Barometer figures show, more British manufacturers are starting to see an increase in orders. This is further indication that our economy is becoming stronger, which means more jobs and more business for the companies who depend on Morrisons further down the chain.

"Today's announcement by Morrisons is welcome news, particularly as it has recruited over 250 apprentices at sites across the UK, almost 50 of which will be from the local area in Bradford."

Morrisons Chief Executive Dalton Philips, who hosted Dr Cable on his visit to Farmers Boy, said: “As a Yorkshire company we’re proud to be investing £30m in one of our fresh food facilities in Bradford. And it’s not just buildings and equipment that we’re investing in but also training some 50 skilled apprentices at our Farmers Boy site alone. 

“I am delighted that Dr Cable and his Ministers have been able to see first hand our investments in manufacturing and jobs here in Yorkshire.”

Published 29/11/2013