Cooked and prepared food supplier Roberts of Port Dinorwic has received £450k in further backing from its PE owner, GIL Investments, to fund expansion.
Acquired in late 2025 amid fears the business might be shuttered, Roberts invested an initial £650k from GIL to implement a turnaround under a new CEO, Mark Rodgers.
Using the funds to overhaul the company’s processes and install new machinery and a new electrical supply, Rodgers then applied to the Welsh government for a grant of £435k to further revamp and expand the company’s facilities.
By late June, however, delays to the grant process would have meant delaying the opportunity for growth – and GIL stepped in to invest a further £450k in the business for new portioning machinery.
“It needed to happen now,” said Rodgers.
“We want to get these changes put into the business. We take our environmental credentials seriously, and our ability to stay competitively priced for our existing annual business we’re tendering for.”
Rodgers has eyed up substantial growth for Roberts, including through entrance into new markets beyond quick service restaurants, including schools, public service and local government.
He said he expected to add £2m-£3m in sales in the calendar year, building on its 2025 turnover of £13.5m.
The new machinery will help the company reduce meat waste and improve its electrical efficiency, as well as streamline existing workflows in the factory. All, according to Rodgers, in service of making a leaner, more competitive company.
“Historically, Roberts is top quality, but expensive. Now we’re top quality and very competitive.”
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