Food coatings producer Bowman Ingredients is about to reach the 100,000 ton milestone at its blending plant in the United Kingdom. The facility, which has total processing capacity of 60,000 tons per annum, is equipped with two automated lines, 20 automated ingredients hoppers, digital material weighing and automated packing systems.
The £7million facility, situated close to Bowman Ingredients’ UK headquarters in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, opened in 2012. To date the blending plant has produced almost 100,000 tons of dry cereal-based food coatings for customers in Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe and the Middle East.
The purpose built factory enables the company to offer clients accurate blending and full product traceability, with automatic digital data collection and fast-track reporting. The ability to track and trace ingredients through the supply chain is a major concern of food manufacturers supplying retail and foodservice markets.
Bowman Ingredients works in partnership with leading food suppliers and processors to develop products for supermarkets and quick service restaurant chains. The company produces a full range of coating systems for frozen and chilled food, including breadcrumbs, batter mixes, pre-dusts and dry mix marinades for value added poultry, fish, potato and vegetable products.
Established in 1992, Bowman Ingredients serves the international food industry with a comprehensive global network of technologically advanced development and manufacturing sites, including a new factory in Thailand. In addition to the UK flagship operation in Hertfordshire and a second processing plant in East Yorkshire, the company has technical and manufacturing bases in South Africa and Australia.
The Bowman UK headquarters houses the company’s Ingredients and Milling divisions. This enables it to offer tailor-made products in a cost effective manner – from grain selection through to finished food coating systems.
The company’s roots date back to 1857, when it was established as a family-run milling business. It originated ground breaking milling technologies and techniques, including heat treated flour processing and pressure baked crumb manufacturing. Rory Bowman, the great-great-grandson of the founder, is at the helm as the firm’s chief executive officer today.
