Heveco Mushrooms plans to switch production from its two farms in Thakeham, West Sussex, to a new bespoke facility within 18 months.
Since the Dutch-owned company purchased the two holdings in March 2001 it has invested heavily, boosting annual yields by 55% since acquisition.
However, managing director Mark Howarth said that because of the geography and age of the facilities it had become increasingly difficult to achieve the efficiencies required to compete successfully against international competition.
He said: “This, coupled with the need to operate in a tough and price-sensitive retail market, means that relocation from the current production sites is the
only solution to allow us continued vital growth to meet demand and achieve the production efficiencies required for future success.”
With plans already on the drawing board, the scale of investment and crop throughput is set to be massive.
Howarth hopes that Heveco will be able to double the production capacity of the existing sites when it finds a new farm. At the same time it plans to introduce innovative harvesting technologies, he claimed.
Howarth emphasised that the move would not be dependent on the sale of the current sites. “Ideally, we would like to relocate within West Sussex in recognition of our loyal workforce and their skill base.
“Their efforts have been instrumental in achieving phenomenal sales growth since the acquisition.
“In addition we have good relationships with local suppliers who provide a robust supply chain,” he said.
“Discussions with various parties have taken place over the last 12 months to achieve our aim of local relocation and we are optimistic about finding a solution.”
David Shapley