Roberts of Port Dinorwic has announced a £425,000 investment in new manufacturing technology as part of a wider £750,000 programme designed to improve productivity, sustainability and operational performance.

The North Wales-based manufacturer, which supplies ready-to-cook meal components to quick service restaurants, pub and restaurant groups and foodservice wholesalers, has committed the self-funded investment following its return to monthly profitability under CEO Mark Rodgers.

The latest phase of investment includes the installation of an energy-efficient refrigeration plant and a next-generation X-ray precision portioning machine, with both technologies aimed at improving manufacturing accuracy while reducing waste and energy consumption.

The announcement follows the successful implementation of a £300,000 microwave tempering system, which the company says has significantly enhanced production flexibility. By reducing meat tempering times from 72 hours to around 20 minutes, the technology enables same-day processing of short-notice customer orders while improving product yield and quality.

Roberts expects its new refrigeration system to replace ageing, carbon-intensive equipment, delivering projected annual energy savings of approximately £200,000 and achieving a return on investment in less than two years.

Alongside this, the new X-ray precision portioning machine is designed to cut products with an accuracy of within one millimetre, helping to optimise yields, minimise giveaway and reduce production waste.

The investment forms part of the company’s wider transformation programme as it expands into wholesale, public sector catering and new food manufacturing partnerships through a recently approved three-year commercial growth strategy.

Mark Rodgers, CEO of Roberts of Port Dinorwic, said: “This investment is about much more than new machinery. It’s about building a smarter, more sustainable and more responsive manufacturing business that delivers real value for our customers.

“The results from our first investment have exceeded expectations, improving yield, reducing processing times and giving us the flexibility to respond much more quickly to customer demand. We’re now building on that success with technology that will reduce waste, lower our environmental impact and open new market opportunities.”

Rodgers added that the business has focused on rebuilding its commercial foundations over the past nine months.