Freshways is investing £25 million in a new West Bromwich dairy, aiming for around 200 jobs and a 25% capacity boost. We test the promises on local hiring, timelines and regional impact, and press leaders and the company on how benefits will reach the whole West Midlands.
00:00Freshways, the UK's largest independent dairy supplier, is completing a £25m milk plant in West Bromwich.
00:08One of the biggest private food investments the region's seen in years.
00:12It's expected to create around 200 jobs and lift production by a quarter once fully operational.
00:18The company says it'll strengthen the market for British farmers and back the mayor's youth employment plan.
00:23The headline sounds strong. The substance lies in how it fits into the region's wider push for skills.
00:30Infrastructure and long-term growth.
00:32We've set out a growth plan with a big ambition to grow our economy and create tens of thousands of highly skilled jobs.
00:38The investment here that's being made, £25m in this plant, on the back of the trade deal with India,
00:44will create 200 new well-paid, highly skilled engineering jobs here in Smethik in the West Midland.
00:50And I want more investment like this into this region.
00:53The fact that this investment coming here demonstrates that we've got some real strengths in this region.
00:58The business that is investing here came here because it's a fantastic location with great transport links,
01:05but also they've got access to a skilled workforce and a workforce with the skills that they need.
01:11The £25m covers more than concrete and machinery.
01:16It includes training, sustainability, upgrades and local hiring through schools, colleges and job fairs.
01:21Freshway cites it's backing the mayor's youth plan to bring young people into the food industry.
01:27The goal is skilled, long-term work rather than short contracts.
01:31But real value comes when those roles open and local people see the benefits,
01:36turning investment headlines into actual employment.
01:39The jobs will vary from very technical jobs like engineering, health and safety,
01:49from food technology right the way through vehicle loading and general warehouse work.
02:00Big investments often cluster benefit in one area while others watch from the sidelines.
02:04The challenge for the West Midlands is making sure success spreads across every borough.
02:10Leaders say this factory proves the region can attract international deals and turn them into jobs.
02:15That only stands if suppliers and training reach beyond Sandwell.
02:19It's why the mayor's growth plan now faces scrutiny.
02:22Can prosperity be shared evenly across the region rather than concentrated in one postcode?
02:27So this is fantastic investment for this part of the region.
02:34My job is to promote this region across the world so we can attract more investment like this into all parts of the region.
02:40I want to ensure that when we deliver growth, that the benefits of that growth are embedded in and benefit every part of the West Midlands.
02:46And that's why at the investment summit we've been hosting with the government, we've been promoting the region because we want to attract more investment like this.
02:55And I want to get investment like this right across the West Midlands.
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