Thomas Hardy Holdings Ltd, a provider of contract bottling facilities to the beer and beverage industries, has completed a £3.2 million modernisation of its factory in Cumbria to meet growing demand.

The company has put the finishing touches to a comprehensive refurbishment of its Kendal base as part of a wider £17 million investment that includes the installation of a second bottling line at the company’s sister plant in Burtonwood, Cheshire and will create around 50 jobs, with the vast majority expected to be in Cheshire.

Thomas Hardy — founded in 1997 — provided £7 million of the investment, while Barclays Bank provided a £10 million funding package.

Neil Voss, Thomas Hardy Holdings Ltd director, said: “We are delighted that Barclays is able to support our ambitious growth plans.

Its speed of response, along with its understanding of our business and the timescale for a project to modernise the works in Kendal and install a new glass bottling line at our Burtonwood facility, enabled us to stay on track to deliver additional capacity to our customers.”

The improvements made in Kendal include a de-palletiser, conveyors, and rinsing and filling machines, as well as structural works and new drainage.

The funding package for the work was put together by Barclays relationship director, Paul Devenport, who said: “This significant capital expenditure will enable Thomas Hardy to maintain its competitive advantage and will future-proof the operation for years to come.”