Healeys doubles processing capacity with £5m investment
Sam Healey showing HRH The Duke of Edinburgh parts of the new water transportation system.
An award-winning Cornish Cyder producer and visitor attraction, has made a £5m investment into its production infrastructure and onsite visitor experience.
Healeys said that as part of the £5m investment, the business has doubled its processing capacity, with the introduction of new apple bays, an innovative water transportation system, and an additional press. This new infrastructure also ensures a higher quality of juice thanks to less bruising and better cleaning of the apples.
Joe Healey, managing director, trading at Healeys noted how the latest investment shows a continued commitment to expand production processes and enhance visitors’ experiences.
“We’re committed to the long-term sustainable development of the farm, and always enjoy integrating a unique visitor experience along the way,” Healey said. “We’ve introduced a new water recirculation system, which aims to filter, treat and recirculate our pressing water, so it can be reused throughout the season, which together with our rainwater harvesting, should reduce our water consumption per litre of cider produced.”
Behind the scenes, tank capacity has increased by 60% with the addition of six new temperature controlled 100,000 litre fermentation tanks, (holding the juice of approximately six million apples in total).
The developments are part of a long-term vision to reduce the business’s carbon footprint, without compromising on the quality of its products.
“Since moving to the family farm in 1986, we’ve planted over 25,000 trees, have invested in both wind and solar energy, and hope to achieve the milestone of 75% of our energy requirements being produced onsite, from renewable sources within the next five years. We’re constantly looking to improve and develop our processes to encourage productivity and growth and have some exciting plans for the next part of our journey,” Healey added.
Kay’s Cyderhouse is also home to a collection of Healey Cars, with the family being direct descendants of Donald Healey, inventor of the famous ‘Austin Healey’ car. Visitors are able to enjoy a birds eye view of the pressing facility before continuing their journey through the main bottling and keg halls. Founded in 1980, Healeys is the largest independent cyder-maker in the county.
On 15th September, The Duke of Edinburgh unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of Kay’s Cyderhouse and was presented with a bottle of 18-year-old Healeys Cornish Cyder Brandy, which was distilled when the Duke last visited the farm.
