New jobs in Evesham at Nationwide Produce after major expansion

Nationwide Produce Evesham, which employs 93 people, is spending £3.5million to expand its chilled vegetable distribution centre near the town.

The work, which is now underway, will see its site in Enterprise Way increase rom 14,000 sq ft to more than 38,000 sq ft.

Five new temperature-controlled units will allow the company to store its produce, mainly vegetables, ready for distribution.

It is hoped the expansion will increase the firm's capacity or stock almost fourfold, from 450 pallets to 1,600.

WORK: Work is continuing at Nationwide Produce

In addition, dozens of new jobs are set to be created by the move, with the average length of service for current employees being around 11 years.

The company could not confirm how many jobs.

A number of current employees have celebrated their 15th, 20th and 25th years working with Nationwide Produce.

Scott Hollins, managing director of Nationwide Evesham, said: "The five temperature-controlled chambers will allow us to store produce at their optimal temperature keeping them fresher for longer.

"We are working hard to futureproof the business with a vision to make this extension as green as possible.

"We're proud to be certified renewable, with 100% of the power needed to run our UK depots and offices being produced from renewable energy sources."

BUILDING: New jobs at Nationwide Produce

Nationwide started as a small office-based company in 2007, later buying a depot at Vale Park in Evesham.

The increased business demand let to Nationwide buying an additional site in September 2019 – formerly a Kanes Foods depot – a short distance down the road.

It now has subsidiaries including Vitaal in the Netherlands, Nationwide Produce España in Spain and Richmond Farms, which operates in Lancashire and East Anglia.

Fruit and veg comes into Evesham from around the world and is then distributed by Nationwide Produce from its site in the town.