Dungannon based Hughes Mushrooms is investing in a new production facility in rural East Yorkshire to meet the increasing demand for ‘home grown’ mushrooms.
The 11-acre site near Howden was chosen because of the region’s strong agricultural heritage and proximity to the major motorway networks. This will enable the family-run company to serve both current and new customers.
The first phase of the new, technologically advanced production facility is due to be operational in September, with the first mushrooms harvested later that month. The new facility will create 70 jobs from the get go, and this is planned to increase to 100 full time roles by the end of 2017. Its design, using a system believed to be the only one of its kind in the world, will transform working conditions for staff while also cost-effectively producing mushrooms of the very highest quality.
Energy efficiency and sustainability
The new site is designed to be the most energy-efficient mushroom production facility in the UK, equipped with industry-leading technology to improve quality and reduce waste, while reducing road-miles and emissions by being situated geographically closer to customers.
Up to date and advanced technology used at Hughes’ new facility also means the plant requires significantly less land than traditional mushroom production facilities which use polytunnels.
Business growth
Hughes, based at Trew & Moy Station near Dungannon in Co Tyrone, has doubled turnover in the past six years by supplying most of the main UK retailers with produce from 20 independent growers.
Emmet Hughes, business development director, said: “We believe the scale and ambition of our investment is unprecedented in the UK mushroom industry and the world-class facility we’re creating in East Yorkshire is unrivalled in Europe.
“This state-of-the-art, efficient and environmentally friendly mushroom production operation has been developed after extensive research with some of the world’s most successful producers to meet the demands and challenges of the modern industry.
“As a business, this has been part of our growth strategy for several years, but it is particularly timely as the UK prepares to leave the European Union. Many current and potential customers are already prioritising suppliers who are UK-based and prepared to invest in the future, and industry commentators have been saying for some time that the volume of British produce needs to be increased.”
The new site in England will be additional and complementary to the company’s activities in Northern Ireland and will enable it to continue to meet growing demand, with particular focus on premium lines, while developing new product lines.
Hughes currently supplies 230 tonnes of mushrooms per week to retailers throughout the UK, as well as producing its own range of prepared mushroom meal solutions.
The family business established in 1964, Hughes is the largest supplier of pre-packed mushrooms in Northern Ireland. The business supports mushroom growers locally by providing 85% of local produce for distribution to outlets across the UK. Over 90% of its sales are to major retail groups.
