HKFoods Plc Media release, 19 September 2024, at 12.00 am HKFoods Plc has decided on a significant strategic investment of approximately EUR 5 million in the meal production of its Vantaa unit. The investment is HKFoods’ response to the growing demand for ready meals in both the retail and food service sectors. The investment supports HKFoods’ strategy to increase added value and operational efficiency. The company aims to grow in product categories that make everyday life easier for consumers, such as meals, meal components and snacks.
Major investment in ready meal production in Vantaa
With the investment of approximately EUR 5 million in the ready meal production of the Vantaa unit, HKFoods will increase its meal preparation capacity and develop new high-quality meals for consumers' varied food moments. The investment will also improve the production efficiency.
“We are determined to improve our profitability and build a stronger foundation for the future competitiveness of our business. The investment now implemented will strengthen our market and competitive position in higher value-added products strategically important for the company. It will enable us to meet the expectations of our customers and consumers in both the retail and food service sectors for high-quality, ready-to-use products for everyday food moments," says Jari Leija, EVP, Business Unit Finland at HKFoods.
The new technology, high-quality products produced on the line will be launched in the summer of 2025.
HKFoods' Vantaa unit produces meat products and ready meals, such as HK and Via microwave meals and soups. The unit also houses the domestic logistics centre and Group operations.
Ready meals, a growing trend
The ready meals market in Finland has grown steadily in recent years and is expected to continue to grow in the future. More and more consumers appreciate the convenience and speed of cooking. Consumers want to save time and effort when cooking.
In the future, the growth of ready meals will be driven by diversification of choice, an increase in the number of one-person households, the growth of the senior population, changes in eating habits and patterns and, in part, by an increase in consumers' purchasing power. HKFoods wants to offer high-quality, tasty and convenient meal solutions for consumers’ varied food moments.
More information:
Jari Leija, HKFoods’ EVP Business Unit Finland.
HKFoods Media Service Desk, email: communications@hkfoods.com
With 110 years of experience, we at HKFoods make life tastier – today and tomorrow. Our strategic target is to grow into a versatile food company. Our home markets are Finland and Denmark, where around 3,600 of our professionals make responsible and locally produced food for consumers’ varied food moments. Our well-known brands include HK®, Kariniemen®, Via® and Rose®. We are developing a more climate-friendly way of producing food. HKFoods is a publicly listed company, and in 2023, our net sales from continuing operations totalled nearly EUR 1.2 billion. www.hkfoods.com
