Vegetable supplier Frederick Hiam Foods has officially opened its new £6.5.million vegetable preparation factory at Brandon in Suffolk. The 77,000 sq ft facility is one of the UK's largest purpose-built factories for the preparation of potatoes, carrots, parsnips and onions. It started production in July and has the capacity to process 55,000t of prepared vegetables annually.

The operation is the latest expansion by 75-year-old family farming business Frederick Hiam Ltd which has 9,000acres under production.

The new company, Frederick Hiam Foods, aims to generate a turnover of £20million in its first three years based on a predicted rise in demand for prepared vegetables from the multiples, food service and manufacturing.

The Brandon factory was opened by broadcaster Tony de Angeli, formerly editor of The Grocer and council member of the Institute of Grocery Distribution.