Dumfries and Galloway based meat processing company, Brown Brothers Manufacturing Ltd, has been awarded more than £800,000 as part of the Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-operation grants.

The support will allow the company to extend its premises and purchase new equipment, while safeguarding 567 full-time posts and creating 50 new jobs.

The funding was announced by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing, with the latest round, worth more than £4.6 million, enabling 15 projects to take businesses to the next level, by supporting new products and extending existing lines, or building new facilities.

Brown Brothers managing director, Alan Hill, commented: “With the support of Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-Operation grants funding and enabling work by Dumfries and Galloway Council, we will construct a new energy efficient extension to our meat processing facility and install state of the art production equipment.

“This will allow us to efficiently increase our throughput capacity and offer a ‘one stop shop’ for our customers in fresh, chilled and frozen cooked meats.”

Speaking ahead of AgriScot 2017, which provides the best opportunity to spend time with a wide range of farming, food and supply businesses, Ewing stated: “This investment of more than £4.6 million will benefit famers, meat packers and bakers across Scotland and further demonstrates my continuing commitment to supporting and growing that contribution.

“Not only will this funding help to create 90 new jobs, it will help safeguard 820 posts in our rural economy and help our food and drink companies expand their businesses and the products they offer.”

The Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-operation grants scheme is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2020 and is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union.