Pickstock Telford’s New Beef Processing Facility Officially Opens
Pickstock Telford Ltd formally known as Pickstock Ashby Ltd, has celebrated the completion of its new meat processing plant in Hortonwood, Telford.
The Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, Secretary for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs officially opened the plant on Monday 2nd June.
Greg Pickstock, Managing Director of Pickstock Telford commented, “It was an honour to have the Secretary of State attend our official opening, we have worked very closely with Defra to bring this state of the art facility to where it is today and we would like to extend our thanks for their support.”
Pickstock Telford is a family owned company which was originally formed in 2003 when it began operating an abattoir in Ashby de la Zouch, South Derbyshire, before opening in Telford in January 2014.
The company was one of the first to export beef back into Europe following the BSE crisis in 2006. The company has worked extremely hard to open export markets and supply to the national and international retail, commercial and food service markets, priding itself on serving the market with the widest possible range of quality beef products, which are all produced to exact customer specifications. Pickstock Telford is now very proud to be highly recognised in several countries around the world, which are supplied to on a daily basis.
Pickstock Telford’s new facility is the latest of its kind in the country and one of the only plants in Europe to have every process under its 85,000sq ft roof, from the lairage, to the meat processing facility, on‐site cold stores and despatch.
The new facility has many unique state of the art features, and everything has been specially designed to enhance Pickstock Telford’s efficient process. The new facility also incorporates a new boning and packing plant which will allow the company to provide a greater choice to its customers and will attract business from new markets, with a wider range of product cuts.
Greg commented, “By making this investment it has brought the company to a new level and is now capable of supplying a whole range of customers from the local butcher’s shop to the largest retailer with British Beef.” Greg added “Our customers can buy with confidence knowing that we have designed the plant with the latest technology enabling us to produce a high standard product, excellent working conditions for our staff and ensuring our environmental responsibilities are met reducing the usage of water, energy, packaging and minimising waste.”
Pickstock Telford is dedicated to the continual improvement of its environmental performance and compliance with the environmental policy which is demonstrated by measuring and monitoring performance on a regular basis. Everything has been constructed with sustainability in mind, with heat exchange systems running off the refrigeration system and air compressors, along with a full rain water harvesting system. There is also future plans for the installation of an anaerobic digester. Pickstock Telford actively recycling as much waste as possible, animal by‐products are rendered and used for bio fuel, and all manure waste is utilised by local farmers.
The company’s main priority is that of animal welfare and traceability. With this in mind, the lairage has been designed to replicate the animal’s natural environment. All pens are bedded down on straw and shavings, and is well‐ventilated, therefore producing natural light, creating a stress free environment. Aside from the welfare of the animals, every last detail within the lairage has been designed to the highest standard to ensure staff safety.
Pickstock Telford has built a sustainable business by building relationships with farmer’s right across the UK. They pride themselves in giving an excellent service with fair returns.
This family run business fully understands the needs of the British farmer, and offers many advantages over its competitors. Animals can be brought direct to the facility in Telford or collected by Pickstock Telford’s transport at one of the collection centres that are located around the UK, presenting both convenience and most importantly choice to its suppliers. Pickstock Telford is also able to offer an excellent service to farmers with the ability to detect common symptoms in cattle which helps the farmer to maintain a healthy herd.
Pickstock Telford’s products are of the very best British quality. All products are produced and processed in a certified Grade A establishment audited by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). In addition to this Pickstock Telford is certified by Assured British Meat, the leading animal welfare standard in the United Kingdom and Europe, which enables the display of the coveted Red Tractor logo on all of Pickstock Telford’s beef products.
Greg commented, “Our success in the last 11 years has been built on developing lasting relationships with farmer’s right across the UK, providing them with a first class professional service. Our approach to traceability, animal welfare and quality assurance is paramount and our expert team of staff are extremely passionate about what they do.”
