Jonathan Taylor, the general manager at Branston’s South West site, is set to depart from the company later this year. This announcement comes as Taylor has significantly influenced the site’s development in alignment with current food manufacturing trends.
Joining Branston in September 2017, Taylor played a crucial role in the evolution of the Ilminster, Somerset facility, which specializes in the production and packaging of new and salad potatoes. Under his guidance, the site experienced impressive growth, reflecting broader trends in the food and beverage industry.
During his tenure, site turnover more than doubled. Notably, Taylor spearheaded a £9 million investment initiative in 2019 to modernize facilities and integrate food processing technology through automation. These advancements led to heightened efficiency, improved working conditions, and increased productivity.
“From growing the business to investing in automation and seeing the site become such a modern, efficient operation, it’s been a fantastic journey,” Taylor reflected.
“One of the most satisfying parts has been watching the operational numbers improve week after week and, of course, dealing with the incredibly busy Christmas period each year, when volumes more than double, requiring the team to plan months in advance.”
Spanning 42 years, Taylor has held various leadership roles in the food industry, including positions as factory manager at Creative Foods and general manager at Westaway Sausages. His upcoming retirement will pave the way for Simon Jones, the current operations manager, to assume the role of GM.
With Taylor’s departure slated for March, a three-month handover has commenced. Jones, who joined the South West team in January 2012 as a night shift supervisor, has held several positions, including shift manager, production manager, and operations manager.
Reflecting on his new role, Jones stated: “I started at Branston as a night shift supervisor and over the years I’ve been given incredible support to progress, with Jonathan playing a big part in that. I really understand the business from the bottom up and that’s something I’m very proud of.”
“Looking ahead, I’m excited about continuing to grow the site, increasing capacity, investing further in sustainability like solar energy, and ensuring we stay at the forefront of technology in our industry.”
Jim Windle, the CEO of Branston, emphasized, “Jonathan has made an outstanding contribution to Branston and to the success of our South West operation. Under his leadership, the site has grown significantly, embraced innovation, and consistently delivered exceptional standards for our customers. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication and wish him a very happy retirement.”
“Simon’s appointment reflects our commitment to developing talent from within the business. His knowledge of the site, his leadership style, and his vision for the future make him the ideal person to take the site forward.”
