Normandy Development has launched a campaign calling on UK food companies to “just go South” for reduced cost, quality manufacturing opportunities and easy access to the continent.

Normandy Development is a business accelerator backed by the French regional councils of Upper and Lower Normandy, with 20 specialists in four offices. Focusing on international economic development, it supplies business-consulting services to medium and large enterprises interested in economic development throughout the Normandy region. Normandy is an international gateway, with a potential reach of 200 million consumers in less than 48 hours by lorry.

The theme “just South of here” reunites Normandy’s food manufacturing advantages and its geographic reach due to its close links with the UK.

When bagged salad pioneer Florette started its expansion into the UK market - supported by Normandy Development - its production site remained in Normandy. Even today, some of the firm’s salad production originates from France, while an important part of the production for UK distribution is from local farmers.

Normandy Development supported Soleco, Florette’s holding company, during the expansion of its historic Normandy site. In 1991, the company established its UK factory in Lichfield, Staffordshire, to be closer to its local customers.

Advanced manufacturing procedures, technical skills, access to a wealth of natural resources from livestock, dairy, seafood products, fruit and vegetables, crops and beverages provide the platform for Normandy’s success.