One of the most familiar landmarks in Ashford celebrates its 60th anniversary this year – but it may never have reached the milestone if it wasn’t for a change of heart 10 years ago, as Dan Wright discovers

What a difference a decade makes.

In 2007, the Batchelors food factory in Willesborough Road, Kennington, was under threat of closure.

Staff were meant to be celebrating its 50th anniversary, but new owners Premier Foods were about to shut it down.

“Our staff were excellent during that time,” said factory manager Simon Ellmore.

“Closure was announced in 2007, but everybody really knuckled down.

"Then it all turned around when it was decided to expand the site instead, and we haven’t looked back since.”

Premier Foods bosses, who acquired the plant from Campbell’s in 2006, didn’t just choose to keep the factory open, but invested millions into it too.

They ploughed £20m into the site over the following three years, trebling its output and recruiting 180 extra staff.

It now employs 360 people, making products including Cup a Soup, Bisto and Paxo.

Mr Ellmore, who joined Batchelors in 2001, said: “Like a lot of industries, it has been through a lot of change.

"We have to be constantly innovating to keep up with it and stay ahead. We need to continue to be on the front foot.”

Batchelors can trace its roots back to the late 19th century when founder William Batchelor began packing tea in Sheffield in 1895.

By the time the Ashford factory opened in August 1957, the firm had expanded into a national company, then owned by Unilever, and had introduced items including processed peas and its famous dried soup mixes.

Its Kennington plant was considered one of the most modern in the country at the time and its two main factories – the William Batchelor and Phoenix buildings – are still in use today.

In 1973, arguably the most famous of all Batchelors products, Cup a Soup, was introduced.

Mr Ellmore, 49, said: “We don’t employ as many people as we used to be as there is a lot more automation in the industry now than there was 60 years ago. Back then, there would be 800 to 1,000 people working here.

“We need to constantly innovate and develop our products so they meet the changing needs of the consumer.”

"Most people in the town know somebody who has worked at Batchelors..." - Simon Ellmore

Three months ago, Batchelors launched its latest product, Pasta ‘n’ Sauce, aimed at breaking into the pot market.

Mr Ellmore, a former chartered accountant, said: “Pot Noodle has owned the pot market – they are huge.

“Pasta and sauce has been around for years, but we have now launched it in a pot and it has been very successful – it is doing extremely well.

“People want things on the go and the pot provides that.

“The market has changed and everything needs to be quick and easy.”

Mr Ellmore said the rise of discount retailers Aldi and Lidl in recent years has had an impact on the factory.

He said: “The growth of those supermarkets has made a big change. We have had to make sure we are as efficient as we can be.

"The whole process has got to run smoothly in the factory and we have got to limit waste as there are very small margins with the discounters because the products are sold cheaply.”

Last year, Batchelors began producing the new Paul Hollywood cake and bread mixes. It also makes McDougalls cake mixes and Saxa salt and pepper pots.

Mr Ellmore said: “Next month will be our busiest time of the year as we have to make a lot of stuffing for Christmas.

“A lot of people only have stuffing once a year, so it makes us very busy – November is our busiest month.”

Mr Ellmore says Batchelors has a good relationship with Ashford MP Damian Green, and thinks the recent widening at Kennington Road will help delivery drivers get to their base.

He said: “There is a lot of investment in Ashford and it is a good place to be.

“Most people in the town know somebody who has worked at Batchelors.

“It is great to be able to celebrate the anniversary and it gives us a chance to reflect on our 60 years here.”

Mr Ellmore is keen to hear from any retired Batchelors workers as he is organising a Christmas lunch for retirees to mark the 60th anniversary. Call 01233 644111 for details.