Wakefield-based HJ Consulting Engineers (HJCE) has secured a contract to provide civil and structural engineering services for Heck Foods' factory expansion in Bedale, part of a wider multi-million-pound investment in North Yorkshire food production capacity. The project centres on a 17,500sq ft extension to Heck's existing North Yorkshire facility, supporting the sausage maker's move into frozen product lines next year.

HJCE is working on the development from concept through to detailed design, providing technical and consultancy support for a purpose-built facility using low-carbon construction methods. Heck supplies millions of sausages, burgers, mince and meatballs each year to retailers and supermarkets across the North of England.

Andrew Fairburn, managing director of HJCE, said: "This is another great project for us, helping to deliver a new factory to support Heck's plans to develop its manufacturing operations further." Fairburn added: "It showcases our engineering capabilities together with the skills and expertise available regionally to help bring forward ambitious commercial property investments and detailed design work."

A spokesperson for Heck said: "Our commitment to investing in extending production capacity is a major part of our ambitious growth plans." The spokesperson added: "Working alongside our in-house team and other partners, HJCE has been engaged to create a state-of-the-art production facility that will meet our long-term strategic needs."

The structural driver is rising demand for specialist civil and structural engineering support as UK food manufacturers expand production capacity and diversify into new product lines. Heck's move into frozen products requires purpose-built manufacturing infrastructure engineered to low-carbon construction standards, reflecting increasing pressure on food manufacturers to decarbonise new-build facilities.

For the sector, the Bedale project adds to HJCE's expanding portfolio of engineering-led commercial property investments across North Yorkshire, following the consultancy's recent appointment on the Ainley Top industrial scheme in Calderdale, reinforcing the firm's growing specialism in food and industrial sector engineering projects.

Source: bdaily.co.uk