Logistics connectivity is giving Northamptonshire a disproportionate growth in food and drink related employment, according to a report commissioned by Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership.
ONS figures show that employment in the sector has declined nationally by three per cent, but risen by five per cent in Northamptonshire, in the logistics golden triangle between the M1, M6 and M42.
Companies taking advantage of such transport links include Tesco, Coca-Cola, Morrisons, Asda, British Pepper & Spice and Whitworths. While Sainsbury’s has announced its new distribution centre will be based at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal.
Rob Purdie, executive director at NEP, said: “It’s been a challenging year for many food and drink manufacturers, due to poor harvests. Add to this consumer demand for cheaper prices and rising fuel and transport costs and it’s no surprise that many companies are having to look at changing their approach. We are seeing that many are considering where best to base their operations to take advantage of better transport links to reduce costs associated with transporting both bulky and heavy raw materials and end products.
“We believe the growth in Northamptonshire’s food and drink sector is directly linked to this renewed focus on reducing supply chain costs and, as the report shows, the trend looks like it will continue, as the cost of transport costs continues to rise.”
