Family-run sausage manufacturer Blakemans has invested £1.35 million into its four-acre site in Newcastle-under-Lyme, to allow it to increase manufacturing of its popular Supreme brand of sausage and meatball products.
The recent expansion has also created 10 new jobs at the business over the last two months.
Managing director Phil Blakeman said: “We are a family run business and we still have the same values as we did when we first started.
“We have experienced some very hard times due to things like the foot and mouth saga, swine flu and the horse meat scandal, things we cannot predict but that have a massive impact on the business and the industry as whole.
“Despite this, we have grown and for me the success of the business comes down to quality. We listen to market demands, if people want a higher meat content in their products then we will respond to that and will provide. As well as that, we have a great team of staff. We have third generation families working for us, which is a great testament to the company.”
The new cooking plant was officially opened by the World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall. Mr Blakeman added: “Recently, due to natural progression, we have needed to expand our cooking facility to allow us to cook more material. We’ve pumped all our resources back into the business.
“When I first met Eddie Hall he told me that he was brought up on Blakemans sausages, so we thought it would be great to get him in and send out our first order produced from the new cooking plant. We’re also planning to launch a 12-inch sausage named 'The Beast' in honour of Eddie.”
James T. Blakeman or Blakemans as it is better known was founded in 1953 by James Blakeman after leaving the RAF. The company started off in Longport as a sausage and meat products manufacturer, supplying the domestic, export, catering and fast-food markets.
In 2000, the company opened its current factory at High Carr Business Park, eventually transferring its entire operation to the site in 2008.
Today the business is overseen by the founder’s children, managing director Mr Philip Blakeman and financial director Susan Cope. It boasts a workforce of around 220 staff and exports around £1 million worth of products each year - from the Caribbean to the Falkland Islands and across most of Europe.
Mr Blakeman said: “Our move to the site in Newcastle was a good decision because it has allowed us to grow. About 10 years ago we were producing around 200 tonnes of sausage a week, today we make double that - around 400 tonnes a week so we have really been able to expand.”
As part of its ongoing growth plan, Blakemans has also recently secured planning permission for another 14,000 square foot extension at its current premises.
Mr Blakeman added: “We haven’t decided what we want to do with it yet, we are going to wait a short while and see what would be the best fit for the business at the time.”
www.blakemans.co.uk
World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall at the opening of the new facility