A leading Wiltshire employer has confirmed plans to invest in a new state-of-the-art multi-million pound production facility in Trowbridge.

Apetito has announced plans to build the new facility on land recently purchased from bedmaker Airsprung Group PLC in Canal Road.

When combined with apetito’s current ‘Pie Site’ on Canal Road, it will form part of a new 'leading-edge production facility.'

Wiltshire Times: apetito will build on land occupied by this disused Airsprung PLC factory. Photo: Trevor Porter 69816-2apetito will build on land occupied by this disused Airsprung PLC factory. Photo: Trevor Porter 69816-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Paul Freeston, chairman and chief executive officer of apetito, said: “An essential part of our expansion plan is to secure the long-term future of apetito in Trowbridge for the benefit of our highly-skilled team.  

“We are delighted to have completed this land purchase, which will enable us to substantially increase our production facilities here at our home in the county town of Wiltshire.  

“The Pie Site has been an important part of our history with many loyal workers operating on the site and we expect to be able to retain the pie site frontline manufacturing team in our expanding meals and desserts business.

“I am hugely excited to announce our plans. We aim to lead the market with one of the most sustainable production facilities in the UK to support our continued growth.”  

apetito says the facility will be at the forefront of innovative and sustainable manufacturing to support the future of the company’s successful meals and desserts business.  

The company disclosed that it does not yet have any details about its building plans, adding: “The work to draw up plans is commencing now and clearly these will then be subject to planning and other formalities.”

Currently, there are around 60 employees working at the Pie Site, producing a range of pastry products, which will continue for a further year. 

When production finally ceases, apetito expects to be able to retain the Pie Site frontline manufacturing team in its expanding meals and desserts business in Trowbridge.   

Plans for apetito’s new facilities remain in the design stage at present, but the company hopes to be able to announce further details soon.  

apetito is a meals supplier to the NHS, serving over 500 care homes, and has an expanding education business.

Its Wiltshire Farm Foods brand is one of the UK’s largest home delivery ready meal business. 

The company employs nearly 2,000 people nationwide.  It is not yet known whether the new facility will create more jobs.