Potato supplier Branston has announced the completion of a £6 million investment at its Lincoln, UK site which includes a new grading system and WarmStor system.

According to the company, the optical grader unit has been designed to improve the efficiency of grading and sizing the 2,500 tonnes of potatoes packed each week. Additionally, the newly installed WarmStor – a low-energy system to adjust the temperature of the potatoes to the optimum level for prepacking – is said to significantly improve the way crops are handled through the packing process, enhancing the end quality and reducing waste.

John Griffin, general manager at Branstons Lincoln site, says, "We have to continually modernise and adapt to the ever-changing food industry in order to have a sustainable business. By installing cutting-edge technology into our ways of working, we are ensuring that we remain at the forefront of an evolving industry."

The investment follows major redevelopment work at the companys Perthshire, Scotland site as well as complementing Branstons recent prepared foods factory extension in Lincoln, UK both of which form part of the companys strategy to meet increased customer demand and reduce its environmental impact and food wastage.

Griffin adds, "ongoing investment in our systems is vital to not only Branston as a business but also to our customers. This new technology means that they can be confident that we are doing all we can to put only the best products on the plates of their customers."