Major food equipment and machinery supplier Marel has opened its upgraded manufacturing facility in Colchester following extensive refurbishment. The work has been described as a ‘visual milestone’.

The work included renovations and extensions to the existing building, manufacturing shop floor, offices and reception area.

The site is now in-keeping with the ‘modern Marel look and feel’ and is designed to be inviting and inspiring for the company’s employees, customers and visitors alike.

Graeme Rolinson, regional general manager of Marel UK and Ireland, described the work as a ‘visual milestone’.

He said: “The new development in Colchester is a visual milestone in our locations development and re-enforces the hard work, commitment and determination by all in working towards making this location one of the leading locations and functions within the global Marel network.

“We must now use this fantastic facility combined with the progress we have made over the last two years to strengthen our position not only within Marel but also in the global markets that we serve.”

The upgrade forms part of Marel’s strategy to strengthen the global Marel brand and offer its employees a modern working environment that will support the company’s business goals going forward.

With a renovated manufacturing facility in Colchester and a modern sales and service office in Birmingham, which opened in 2016, Marel believes it is ready to strengthen its position and better service new and existing customers in the UK and Ireland.

The United Kingdom and Ireland are key markets for Marel. In total, 184 employees work for Marel in the UK and Ireland, 76 of which work for sales and service with their primary location being the sales and service office in Birmingham. Another 108 employees are based in Colchester where the manufacturing of Marel’s end-of-line products is based.