- 18/07/2014
- Posted by: Ken Skates MS
- Category: News
Wales’s fastest-growing company has been praised after a visit from Assembly Member Ken Skates.
Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, was given a tour of family-run firm Village Bakery in Coedpoeth and met members of staff on Friday (July 18).
He said: “Village Bakery is an excellent and rapidly-expanding company which has become a key employer in our area and a fantastic ambassador.”
Mr Skates also visited the Village Bakery’s site in Wrexham earlier this year in his role as Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology to hear about its plans for a new £2.3m Academy and Innovation Centre. The project will be the first of its kind in Wales, and the business is laying the foundations for the future by taking on 13 apprentices.
Mr Skates said: “It has been an important few months for the firm – which is celebrating its 80th year in business – after it announced in October it was to create 60 new jobs with a £1.8m expansion backed by the Welsh Labour Government, which contributed nearly £0.6m to the move.
“This investment and expansion is already creating new jobs and will not only support the growth of the business but also bring additional benefits to the Welsh economy through increased supply chain activity.
“Village Bakery now employs around 300 people and is a cornerstone of the local economy. Earlier this year the company was also named Wales’s fastest-growing business, and it is great to see its fortunes continue to rise.”
The firm was founded in Coedpoeth and its annual turnover has since increased from £400,000 to £6m.