Associated British Foods (ABF) is investing "tens of millions of pounds" in upgrades at its UK baking business, chief executive George Weston told FoodManufacture.co.uk.

The group plans to improve efficiency by modernising production equipment at an initial three Allied Bakeries sites, Weston said.

It is at the "early stages" of commissioning new bread plant at its Glasgow bakery, in a bid to improve efficiency rather than boost capacity, Weston noted.

A new roll plant was also being installed at the West Bromwich bakery, again to improve efficiency rather than add capacity. And another more efficient bread line is to be installed as Allied Bakeries' Stevenage bakery.