A major county business which bakes for the nation is creating new jobs as part of its plans for major expansion.

And West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin visited the baking facility run by Vandemoortele in Lower Broadheath which employs up to 60 people making specialist bread products for major retailers and caterers.

The company has recently invested in its production facility to allow it to move to 24 hour production and is creating more than a dozen new jobs.

Harriett was given a briefing on the challenges that the company is facing trying to recruit local people. The company has partnered with a number of local recruiters but asked their local MP to visit and help to spread the word.

Harriett commented:

“Vandemoortele took the opportunity to significantly improve its Worcestershire manufacturing facility during lockdown and it is looking to grow and take on more staff.

“I met with the local team to talk to their about their plans and hear about the challenges recruiting local people.

“The company has recently increased its pay levels to make an attractive offer to new staff and I am keen to help publicise their vacancies.”

Vandemoortele plant manager Mark Parton added:

“We were delighted to welcome Harriett to our site and demonstrate the significant investment the Vandemoortele business has made in its future, positioning us to be the first plant in the UK with the capability to produce pre-proofed Viennoiserie products at scale.

“We were able to discuss the benefits this investment will bring to the local community and economy through the expansion in activity, as well as the challenges we are facing in ramping up our production through the constraints of the current manpower supply shortage.”

Photo: Pictured at Vandemoortele in Lower Broadheath (l-r) Suzie Duncombe, Harriett Baldwin MP and Mark Parton.