UK food producer Noble Foods is investing in an "added-value manufacturing site" in Leicestershire for a new range of prepared egg products.

The company intends to spend a "multi-million" sum over "the next few years", Will Cadbury, added value business lead at the group told Just Food.

Noble's new 10,000 square-metre facility will make a range of foods such as omelettes, egg bites, and frittatas.

It is expected to be operational around August, Cadbury said.

The move will help to expand the group's consumer foods unit.

Its new products will be aimed at retail, quick-service restaurants and wholesale customers.

The factory is expected to create 150 new jobs during the “phased opening”, the company said.

It also “has the capability for anticipated expansion”, which is expected to develop more job opportunities in the future.

These will include "site management roles, as well as technical, operations and engineering positions", said Cadbury.

Noble Foods is known for supplying fresh traditional shell eggs. Its egg brands include the Happy Egg Co., Purely Organic, Big & Fresh, Freshlay Golden Yolk and Heritage Breeds.

In a statement, Cadbury added: “I’m excited that our new investment will help us in our ambition to create more egg-based foods, in different formats, so that more people can enjoy eggs throughout the day.

“We already know that eggs are one of the most versatile and nutritious foods, with the lowest carbon output of any animal protein”.

David Parker was appointed as commercial development chef for the company in 2022 and will support growing Noble’s “added-value venture”.

In a statement, Parker said: “By combining food trends, along with category and marketing expertise with Noble Foods’ new investment, we are gearing up to launch exciting new meal and snack solutions for the UK consumer market.”

Noble Foods used to own the potted dessert group brand Gü, buying a majority stake in the business in 2010. It sold Gü to private-equity firm Exponent in 2021.