Plant-Based Food Brand Gosh! Invests £5m In A New Production Facility To Meet Demand

UK plant-based food maker Gosh! Food has announced that it would be investing £5 million in a new production facility to meet growing consumer demand. The company aims to expand its vegan and free-from product portfolio and move to new food categories.

The new factory will open in 2021 and create additional 25 new job positions. The 17,000 square foot facility will be entirely allergen-free. 

Gosh! Food CEO Jane Rayner said: “We believe strongly that food should be as natural as possible and have a brand that prides itself on offering high-quality, great-tasting and perfectly natural products.

“With 45% of grocery shoppers either following or considering a plant-based diet, demand for plant-based products has grown significantly. We look forward to being able to continue to grow our capacity to meet demand and support retailers in improving the way we eat.

​“We’re also excited about the opportunities that expanding to a second site presents in creating new jobs in an exceptionally difficult economic time.”​

The company has also employed Jahangir Khan, former innovation and category controller at ready meals company Charlie Bigham’s, as its first senior category manager.

Khan said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role and I am looking forward to supporting the business in its ambitious growth strategy. In a market that is ever-growing, there is huge scope for an innovative brand like Gosh! to develop its relationships with retailers, to help bring new shoppers into the category.”​ 

Rayner commented: “We’re pleased to have welcomed Jahangir to the team to help us develop our category expertise. His experience within the FMCG world will help us get to the next level as a business as we look for ways to innovate and support retailers. While 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, we’re pleased to be in the position that enables us to reinvest in the business and maintain growth.”

Earlier this year, Gosh! Foods announced its profits rose by 15.5% to £4.1m and invested in advertising and communications as it plans to further expand within the market.