A LEADING supplier and ripener of bananas across the UK is opening a new ripening centre at the DP World Logistics Park.

Compagnie Fruitiere’s is moving its existing centre from Dartford to Thurrock.

Its new port side location will help deliver the optimum supply chain, driving efficiency within the ripening process and using technology to help future-proof the business.

The build of the new site, in Corringham, will get underway through 2020, with the goal of being fully operational in 2021.

Keith Sadler, managing director, insisted this is an exciting move.

Compagnie Fruitière says it has been a family business since 1938 in Marseilles and is a leading producer in Europe and as well as the major fruit producer in the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific region, specialising in the production, transport and distribution of fruit and vegetables.

It produces, transports, ripens and markets more than 900,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables, including 750,000 tonnes of bananas in Europe and throughout the world.