Morrisons has acquired a meat processing facility in Winsford, Cheshire from Vion UK.

The 105,000 sq ft site is a centralised fresh pork and lamb packing plant which has the capacity to expand into beef products and increase its overall production.

The acquisition will give Morrisons greater capacity as it continues to grow and greater control over the quality of the meat products sold in store. 

Over 300 staff at the facility in Winsford will retain their jobs, with the potential for further roles in the next year as the business grows.

Morrisons is the second largest fresh food manufacturer in the country, employing more than 7,000 people. The 476-store grocer owns a number of bakeries, meat processing facilities and produce packing factories.

This acquisition is the latest in a number of transactions to strengthen Morrisons’ manufacturing capabilities. Morrisons has pledged to invest £200m over a three-year period to support the growth of the business and acquired Derby-based cut flower specialist FlowerWorld last year.    

Morrisons group manufacturing director Martyn Fletcher said: “Owning the manufacturing sites that produce our fresh food is crucial to Morrisons because it ensures we can control quality and keep down costs for our customers.

“As Morrisons continues to grow, it is important we have the facilities to support us. This facility is a high quality, purpose built meat processing factory and will be an ideal addition to the fantastic manufacturing sites we already own.”

Last week Morrisons-owned baby products business Kiddicare purchased 10 former Best Buy sites across the UK.