DUNBIA, one of Europe’s leading food companies, was awarded Food Producer of the Year at the Wales Food and Drink Awards on Friday, April 17, held at the Swansea Building Society Arena in Swansea.
Dunbia has had a presence in Wales for more than 30 years and today employs over 1,500 people. Dunbia continues to invest in state-of-the-art facilities to maintain its position as an industry leader and respond to evolving customer demands. The company’s Cross Hands site, originally opened in 1992 to meet the growing need for retail-packed products, complements the long-established Llanybydder site, which has been in operation since 1956.
Significant investment across both Welsh facilities, supported by the Welsh Government, has enhanced efficiency, sustainability and product quality. At Llanybydder, advanced processing systems provide real-time yield recording and full traceability, with capacity to process up to 20,000 lambs and 1,000 cattle per week. Strong partnerships with local farmers support a sustainable supply chain, with tailored programmes helping to reduce carbon footprints and improve environmental performance.
Recent upgrades include improvements to the lamb abattoir and refrigeration systems, a new boning line, and a £5 million investment in water treatment. Backed by the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, the installation of an air source heat pump is expected to reduce heating-related CO₂ emissions by over 58%.
At Cross Hands, which now processes up to 1,000 tonnes weekly, ongoing investment in technology and innovation supports advanced product development, retail packing and added-value operations, reinforcing Dunbia’s commitment to quality, efficiency and growth.
Commenting on this achievement, Lee Headington, Regional Financial Controller at Dunbia, said: “We are thrilled to win Food Producer of the Year awards at the Wales Food and Drink Awards.
“We are grateful to our Welsh farmer suppliers and local employees who have worked with us since we first established ourselves in Wales over 30 years ago. This award reinforces our commitment to excellence and our strong roots in the Welsh food industry.
“At Dunbia, we take immense pride in what we produce and are driven by a genuine passion to share it with global consumers.
“Our mission is to showcase the exceptional quality of Welsh beef and lamb to the world and today our products reach over 20 international markets placing it as a flagship example of the craftsmanship, heritage, and flavour that define our industry in Wales.”
