Atria’s latest poultry facility has exceeded initial investment expectations, reflecting a significant commitment to the growth of the food and beverage industry in Finland.
The newly constructed factory spans three hectares and represents an investment of approximately €165 million ($183.3 million), surpassing the original estimate of around €130 million announced in 2019 when the project was first revealed. This state-of-the-art facility, completed on schedule, is now operational and has the capacity to process an impressive 15,000 birds per hour. Atria asserts that chickens can be processed and delivered to customers within a mere four hours post-arrival at the plant.
According to the company, this is their most substantial investment to date, driven by the increasing consumption of poultry products both domestically and in international markets. As Atria stated upon the facility’s launch, “Atria needed more capacity as the consumption of poultry products has been growing for decades.”
The new factory is set to enhance Atria Finland’s poultry production capability by approximately 40%. Emphasizing the importance of traceability, the company ensures that the processing journey of each bird from individual farms is marked on the final packaging label, offering transparency to consumers.
“As we move forward, we are committed to utilizing the latest technology in this production facility, which is poised to be the best in the world in the future,” remarked Mika Ala-Fossi, Atria Finland’s managing director.
Atria operates through three specialized business divisions supporting markets in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia. They provide a variety of products under their well-known brands, including Atria, Jyva, and Wilhelm.
In their latest half-year report, the company noted the closure of their Sahalahti poultry plant, reallocating processing operations to the new facility in Nurmo. Additionally, in February, Atria announced the acquisition of the prepared foods company Gooh from Swedish agri-food business Lantmännen, a deal finalized in May.
For the six months ending in June, Atria reported a 1.6% decline in sales, totaling €871.2 million. However, operational improvements led to a 26% increase in EBIT, rising to €26.4 million, with the EBIT margin improving from 2.4% to 3%. Furthermore, net profit after tax grew by 18%, reaching €18.4 million.
Atria’s strategic moves demonstrate its responsiveness to prevailing food and drink consumer trends and its commitment to enhancing operational capabilities within the food and drink business. Their continued investment in modern facilities positions them favorably to meet growing demands in the food and beverage industry.
