Wrexham-based Jones’ Village Bakery invested GBP 2 million (EUR 2.26 million) in what it calls “one of the world’s biggest pancake production lines”, with a capacity that now reaches 75 million pancakes per year. The line is 20 meters long and three meters wide. It can process 34,000 pancakes per hour. The new production line has been installed at the firm’s new 140,000 sq ft bakery on Wrexham Industrial Estate, which opened in 2021.

The specialist kit was imported from the US and was installed just before the end of February, in a move that creates 20 new jobs at Jones’ Village. Different pancakes can be made with the new line, ranging from small Scotch pancakes to large American buttermilk pancakes with a diameter of 7 inches.

Managing director Robin Jones commented on the investment: “The reason we have bought this new production line is quite simply that our pancakes are literally selling like hot cakes. The equipment was delivered just before Christmas and was installed in record time by my brother Christien, the project director, and his team, so it’s all systems go for Shrove Tuesday when demand will go through the roof.”

The bakery developed several unique flavors, such as Sicilian lemon, chocolate and butterscotch. Specialties also include high-protein and high-fiber pancakes. “This new production line gives us the capability and the capacity to develop new products, new flavors and also it’ll help us cope with the growing demand that we’re seeing, not just here but also in Europe, particularly in France, Belgium and Holland,” added Jones. American-style products are among the bakery’s popular varieties, which are particularly attractive in France.

Operations director Simon Thorpe estimates that the new production line is one of the largest pancake plants in the world.

Photo: Jones’ Village Bakery