Colbeck Edible Oils Invests £250,000 to Expand Filling Plant Capacity

Gateshead, September 2025 – Henry Colbeck Ltd has announced a significant investment in its purpose-built oil filling facility in Gateshead, strengthening capacity, efficiency, and meet growing customer demand.

The £250,000 project includes an additional automated 20-litre filling line and upgraded pipework, making it 4 times faster to fulfil customer orders. The plant now runs four filling lines – two for IBCs and two for 20-litre drums – supported by two IBC washers and a dedicated team of five operators.

“Our oil filling plant is at the heart of how we serve customers, so these investments are really about them. By expanding our filling lines and introducing new technology, we can respond more quickly, deliver more efficiently, and keep quality at the very highest standard. Many of our customers have been with us for years, and this investment makes sure we can continue to meet their needs reliably for years to come.” Said Lauren Collinson, Oil Sales Manager.

All oil is stored in eight nitrogen-flushed and nitrogen-blanketed 30-tonne tanks, providing a 240-tonne storage capacity and protecting quality until packing. The facility holds AA-grade BRC accreditation for food, and is a member of NEODA (National Edible Oil Distributor Association). Henry Colbeck is also a member of RSPO (Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil), supporting responsible sourcing of sustainable palm oil.

Henry Colbeck’s transport network delivers on its own fleet wherever possible, combining dedicated routes, overnight journeys, and IBC collection on delivery to maximise efficiency and minimise carbon emissions. Customers typically receive deliveries within 3–5 working days, with many receiving weekly or monthly scheduled drops.

Later this year, IBC tracking will be introduced to extend the serviceable life of each container, helping to reduce both environmental impact and associated costs. The system will also enable more efficient route planning for the collection of empty IBCs, while giving Colbeck’s teams greater visibility over when customers are likely to need collections or fresh orders – ultimately raising service levels across this key area of the business.

For more information, visit www.colbeckedibleoils.co.uk