David Wood Baking has started production at its most recently acquired site at Dudley in the West Midlands.

The factory is the third site to be acquired by managing director David and Karen Wood, after they bought a Medway Foods site in Sheerness, Kent, in June 2008 and Peter Hunt’s bakery in Bolton, shortly after.

David Wood said all three new acquisitions had previously closed after being hit by commodity price fluctuations. "In spite of the tough economic climate, we have restarted them and have taken on 300 of the 600 people previously employed at Sheerness and Bolton.

"We have invested substantially in the fully refurbished Dudley factory and are now producing part-baked speciality breads."

Wood started the new business after selling his 50% share of Country Style Foods in 2008. The company produces frozen savoury pasties, sausages rolls, slices and pies at Sheer-ness, and similar products, plus fruit pies and Viennoiserie at its Bolton site.