The company, which is owned by US processed meats giant Smithfield Foods, says that the investment will mainly concentrate on increasing the production of highly processed products, including a range of value-added, semi-finished meats and convenience meals.
Currently the company is a leading exporter of pork-based products and is the leading player in the Polish meat market as a whole. A company spokesperson told CEE-FoodIndustry.com that the company would continue to concentrate on its existing meat export markets, namely the US, Germany, UK, Sweden, Russia, other EU markets, Korea and Japan. It is well known for its ranges of smoked and tinned meats, fresh pork, beef and poultry.
The Animex spokesperson said that the upgrade investment would concentrate on existing facilities and would include a Mazury slaughtering and cut-up line. She added that the new equipment would concentrate on enhancing product flow as well as ensuring better food safety and quality.
The news of the investment followed the company's confirmation that it is readying to buy a 99.3 per cent stake in rival Polish meat processor Morliny. The company has some of the best known meat brands in Poland and the addition is expected to help further consolidate Animex's leading position on the market.
Speaking about the deal, Morton Jensen, Animex Group president, said: "By maximising the available synergies, the combination of Morliny with the Animex Group will strengthen all of the companies involved. The result of that operation will be rising purchases of livestock from the Polish farmers, who have both capabilities and willingness to expand their business."
After the merger has taken place Animex is expecting to run production from eight main sites - four of which will concentrate on red meat production and four that will be dedicated to poultry products. Helped by the purchase of Morliny, Animex is now hoping that its anticipated turnover for the year will be boosted from PLN2.1 billion (€471m) to PLN2.6 billion.