ANDOVER, ENGLAND —Rich Products’ three production facilities in England will consolidate and relocate to a new operation in Andover, allowing the bakery to increase capacity and distribution in Europe.

As part of the restructuring, the company’s sites in Fareham, Portchester and Hartlebury will continue to operate until the transition to the Andover site is complete. Employees were notified of the changes, and the business said it will support staff during the restructuring process.

Set to open by the end of the year, the new 15-acre facility will include automated dough handling, mixing, depositing and baking equipment. It also will feature a dedicated artisan bakery where smaller batches of baked foods will be produced and a new Customer Solutions Centre that will allow clients to be part of the company’s product development process.

David Hunt, managing director UK & EME at Rich’s, explained how the project will impact the company’s presence in the region, “This is an ambitious project that represents our long-term future commitment to the U.K.,” he said. “With plans for the next five, 10 and 20 years, the new facility will increase production and business efficiency as we enter a new phase of growth.”