Ingredients supplier British Bakels has commissioned phase one of a big new £2.5m investment at its Bicester manufacturing site.

The investment sees five major new lines of plant and equipment going in. Managing director Paul Morrow said: “It means we can produce an innovative range of ingredients, many of which will be fresh to the UK. We are also investing heavily in people. Our team of food technologists, under the leadership of Greg Woodhead, has been doubled and now comprises six food technology graduates – importantly, all with baking industry experience.”

The major new investment in plant lines includes a tumble mixing system for handling powders in intermediate bulk containers, supplied by Matcon. The system has separate closed bins for every batch, which enables complete segregation between batches containing different allergens or particulates.

Morrow said Bakels was the only company in the bakery sector worldwide to have a full bin blending system, and the only company in the UK food sector using a high-speed intensifier.

New weighing, packing, heat exchanging and product evaluation technology is also being installed.