HelloFresh unveils its flagship automated production facility in Derby, heralding it as a “launch pad for future growth and innovation” in the UK.
Dubbed ‘The Windmill’, the site boasts state-of-the-art automated production lines capable of handling greater product complexity, offering customers a wider array of recipes to choose from. It also provides options to personalise meals, including the ability to substitute meat with plant-based alternatives or customise portion sizes.
Utilising cutting-edge predictive algorithms and technology, the facility enhances inventory management processes, minimises waste, and ensures ingredients are fresher than ever.
The establishment of ‘The Windmill’ has generated approximately 300 jobs for the local community, encompassing roles such as production operatives, maintenance engineers, and management positions, with further recruitment expected in the coming months.
In addition to fostering employment opportunities, HelloFresh is committed to supporting local charities like Community Action Derby. The meal kit giant currently donates ingredients for over 100 meals per week to assist individuals facing food insecurity in the area.
Developed in collaboration with SmartParc SEGRO Derby, a low-carbon food manufacturing campus in Spondon, Derby, the facility aims to be one of the most sustainable production sites in the country, sourcing 100% of its energy from renewable sources.
Key features include a rainwater harvesting system, a 22 MVA rooftop solar panel array, and a shared heating and cooling system that recycles heat from refrigeration plants to warm water and offices throughout the estate.
Adam Park, CEO of HelloFresh UK, expressed enthusiasm for the project, citing Derby’s diverse talent pool and strategic connectivity as driving factors behind the investment. He emphasised the site’s capacity to handle complexity, offering customers greater choice, and enhancing delivery efficiency, with 80% now within a four-hour drive of production.
Park concluded by affirming HelloFresh’s commitment to the Derby community and excitement for the growth and innovation ahead for both HelloFresh and Green Chef in the UK.
