Frozen fruit and vegetable supplier Ardo UK says that its new packing line has increased efficiency.

The new machinery - which has been installed at the firm's factory and cold store based in Charing, near Ashford - is able to handle up to 400 cases per hour, packing 10kg or 15kg boxes for industrial customers.

“We have an ongoing investment programme to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible and are able to meet the needs of our customers,” said Ardo UK operations director Jim Everest.

“This new bulk packing line complements the work we do for our retail customers and is able to handle any of our frozen fruit and vegetable ranges, whether single products such as British peas or vegetable and fruit mixes.'

The company’s success in reducing waste and energy consumption saw it win the Business Commitment to the Environment Category in the 2012 Kent Excellence in Business Awards.