ADM’s expansion provides the equivalent of two football pitches of extra capacity for trade in bulk agricultural goods and makes it the largest animal feed store in the UK. Tony McDonough reports

Global animal feed trader ADM Agriculture has invested £7.4m to expand its operations at the Port of Liverpool creating the largest animal feed store in the UK.

ADM’s expansion provides the equivalent of two football pitches of extra capacity for trade in bulk agricultural goods and is the result of a long-term contract with Peel Ports to grow its operations in Liverpool and Glasgow.

This is the latest in a string of positive announcements for the Port of Liverpool so far in 2019. Earlier in April, logistics provider Jenkins announced it would invest £17m in a new custom-built warehouse at Seaforth.

As well as the new warehouse at Liverpool, which has been expanded by 140,000 sq ft, ADM has filled 470,000 sq ft of capacity at Clydeport and has a target of achieving imports across the North of England and Scotland of one million tonnes every year.

The company has also started using Great Yarmouth Port for the first time to import animal feed, to service local markets near the port in the farming and fertiliser community.

Graham Atkinson, joint managing director, ADM Agriculture, said: “The combination of Peel Ports’ locations and service with our product range is great for our end customers in agriculture. The reach and efficiencies we’re now achieving means we can offer even better value, helping UK food producers to succeed.”

Construction took place simultaneously to the continuing live operation of the animal feed facility and 21,000 accident free working hours went into the project, which was completed ahead of schedule in just nine months.

Mark Whitworth, chief executive of Peel Ports Group, added: “We’re building a long-term partnership with ADM, one that now extends to three of our ports. Our network means we’re uniquely well placed to provide access to the most important markets in the UK, with the quality of service to ensure they deliver for their customers.”

The project involved construction of warehousing and installation of specialist conveyor equipment which pulled on the skills of civil, mechanical and electrical trades. Previously called ADM Arkady, the company renamed itself ADM Agriculture, following a merger with Gleadell and ADM Direct.