An award-winning Cornish Cyder producer and visitor attraction has invested £5 million in its production infrastructure and on-site visitor experience.
Healeys, the largest independent cyder-maker in the county, has doubled its processing capacity as part of the investment. New apple bays, an innovative water transportation system, and an additional press have been introduced to enhance operations. These improvements ensure the production of higher quality juice with less bruising and better apple cleaning.
Joe Healey, the managing director of Healeys, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding production processes and enhancing visitor experiences. He stated, “We are dedicated to the long-term sustainable development of our farm and always seek to integrate a unique visitor experience along the way. By introducing a new water recirculation system and optimizing our rainwater harvesting, we aim to reduce our water consumption per litre of cider produced.”
Behind the scenes, tank capacity has increased by 60% with the addition of six new temperature-controlled 100,000 litre fermentation tanks, which can hold the juice of approximately six million apples in total.
These developments are part of Healeys’ vision to reduce its carbon footprint without compromising the quality of its products. Since moving to the family farm in 1986, the company has planted over 25,000 trees and invested in wind and solar energy. Within the next five years, they hope to achieve the milestone of producing 75% of their energy requirements on-site from renewable sources.
Kay’s Cyderhouse, the company’s visitor center, also houses a collection of Healey Cars, as the family are direct descendants of Donald Healey, the inventor of the famous ‘Austin Healey’ car. Visitors can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the pressing facility before continuing their journey through the main bottling and keg halls.
On 15th September, The Duke of Edinburgh unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of Kay’s Cyderhouse. He was also presented with a bottle of 18-year-old Healeys Cornish Cyder Brandy, which was distilled during his last visit to the farm.
