Thursday 11th December marked a momentous milestone for Midland Chilled Foods and the wider Granarolo UK group, as we officially inaugurated our brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Willenhall.

The opening ceremony was more than just a ribbon-cutting; it was described by those in attendance as a “phoenix from the flames.” The event served as a powerful symbol of resilience following the devastating fire in 2023 that significantly impacted our operations. Today, thanks to a £10 million investment and the unwavering commitment of our staff, we have bounced back stronger than ever.

A Distinguished Celebration

The inauguration was marked by inspiring speeches from key figures who have supported our journey:

• Filippo Marchi – General Manager, Granarolo S.p.A.
• Francesco Jonas Badde – First Secretary, Embassy of Italy in London.
• Councillor Louise Harrison – Mayor of Walsall.

We were also privileged to welcome a host of key stakeholders, including Anthony Bosco (CEO of Granarolo UK), Riccardo Sebastiano Piaggi (Group HR, Granarolo S.p.A.), Emanuele Rizzoli (Export Director, Granarolo S.p.A.), and Craig Ward (Group Sales Director, Granarolo UK). Our thanks also go to Councillor Mike Bird and Councillor Adrian Andrews from Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council for their continued support of our local investment.

From Italian Farms to British Forks

To celebrate the opening, guests were treated to an exceptional feast of Granarolo Italian cheeses. The menu was expertly crafted by Chef Harry from Umami Design for Food, using seasonal ingredients to perfectly illustrate our mission of bringing authentic Italian heritage to British plates.

The lunch was a showcase of our new internal capabilities, prepared in our dedicated development kitchen and served in our contemporary new boardroom.

A Testament to Our Team

This impressive new site is a testament to the dedication of our team. Their spirit and hard work have not only made this rebuild possible but continue to drive our success every day. We also extend our gratitude to our colleagues across the wider Granarolo S.p.A. group for their international cooperation and support.

We would like to thank the Express & Star for their excellent coverage of the event, with special thanks to reporter Daniel Walton and photographer Steve Leath for capturing the day so perfectly. Final thanks go to Michelle Dalley, whose meticulous organisation ensured the event was a resounding success.

Looking Ahead

As we to the future we are incredibly excited about the opportunities this state-of-the-art facility will unlock. This investment ensures that Midland Chilled Foods and Granarolo UK is better equipped than ever to provide the high-quality service and premium products our customers across the UK rely on.