Nomad Foods is investing £2.2m in its Lowestoft factory, in a bid to boost its potato waffle production capacity.

The food manufacturer, which has a portfolio that includes Birds Eye, Aunt Bessie’s and Findus, says the investments will fund a new potato waffle production line at the Suffolk site, increasing annual output capacity to around 18,250 tonnes, equivalent to nearly 45 million potato waffles a year.

The move forms part of Nomad Food’s wider programme to strengthen manufacturing efficiency across its European network.

The Lowestoft facility,  which began operations in 1949 and is now one of the UK’s longest-established food manufacturing sites, has also recently benefited from a £12m investment in chicken processing operations.

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Plans for an on-site wind turbine are also progressing as the company seeks to improve long-term energy resilience.

“This latest investment at our Lowestoft site is testament to our long-term commitment to UK food manufacturing,” said Nomad Food’s chief supply chain officer Eduardo Bachiega.

“By increasing our production capacity we’re directly responding to consumer demand for household favourites, such as potato waffles, that are already being manufactured 24/7 at the factory.”

The company said that an increasing proportion of production from the Lowestoft site, circa 15%, is being exported to meet demand across European markets,

Bachiega added: “At a time of increasing pressure on global food systems, as well as ongoing cost-of-living challenges for consumers, we continue to invest in our operations ensuring key frozen food categories such as fish, vegetables, chicken and potatoes remain an accessible food choice for families across the UK and Europe.”