A grain processor in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, has completed a significant upgrade to its wheat cleaning facilities thanks to a grant from West Northants Council funded through the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
The project is expected to significantly increase throughput, reduce fuel and carbon emissions, and maintain the company's AA grade British Retail Consortium (BRC) facility status.
West Northants Council provided a grant of £92,733, covering 50% of the costs of the overall project, which involved several key enhancements to the company's processing capabilities, including the installation of new indented cylinders, a new grain elevator, auger, and conveyor system for the grain drier, and the addition of cladding around the small production area.
The investment is expected to create 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, including roles for a laboratory supervisor, operator, and HGV Class 1 driver. These positions will be crucial in managing and maintaining the upgraded facilities.
In addition to job creation, the project will have a positive impact on the supply chain. By improving the efficiency and capacity of its facilities, Charles Jackson & Co Ltd will be able to process more grain, benefiting local farmers and suppliers. The enhanced processing capabilities will also support downstream businesses, such as food manufacturers, by providing processed grain products.
Support with the application process was provided by Rural Ngage, a programme of support delivered by Ngage Solutions for rural businesses in West Northants and further afield. “The agricultural industry has been through an incredibly difficult few years, with the outlook remaining uncertain,” says Will Dallimore, Rural Business Support Manager at Ngage Solutions. “It is vital that the industry is supported from production through to processing if it is to remain viable and strengthen UK food security."
Charles Jackson & Co Ltd has been a cornerstone of the local agricultural industry since 1985, employing 45 FTE staff and supporting numerous businesses within the supply chain. The recent upgrades will not only boost the company's productivity but also safeguard 33 existing jobs that could have been at risk without this investment.
For information and support for rural businesses, contact Rural Ngage on 01494 927167 or email ruralngage@ngagesolutions.co.uk.
Rural Ngage is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
For information and support for rural businesses, contact Rural Ngage on 01494 927167 or email ruralngage@ngagesolutions.co.uk.