Mediterranean bakery and savoury supplier Dina Foods has committed £1 million over the past three years to an ongoing manufacturing upgrade programme, driven by rising demand for its authentic foods. The latest enhancement — a complete overhaul of its pitta production line — became fully operational in August. This line is one of five at the company’s London-based facility, each producing various sizes and flavours of Dina Foods’ renowned breads.
Managing Director Suheil Haddad emphasises that continuous investment in manufacturing capabilities allows Dina Foods to reduce production costs, improve efficiency, and elevate product consistency and quality, all while minimising its carbon footprint. The recent pitta line improvements are expected to accelerate production and curb waste.
Haddad notes, “We want to help our customers stand out by delivering high-quality, innovative, and healthy products at competitive prices. We are always looking at new ideas and potential enhancements in efficiency across our whole business.”
The pitta line upgrade follows last year’s overhaul of the Khobez flatbread line, trademarked as Paninette®, which now includes a fully automatic stacker. This latest automated line, operational by August 2024, has nearly doubled Dina Foods’ capacity, increasing output from 5,000 to 9,000 pieces per hour and reducing labour costs significantly. Haddad reports that the quality of the bread has improved, with reductions in downtime and wastage, alongside enhanced energy efficiency.
In addition to the pitta line, Dina Foods has invested in an onsite nitrogen generator and new pipework for its packing machines, moving away from CO2 cylinder banks. This transition has halved gas flushing costs and extended product shelf life. Other investments include depth meter sensors for its flour silos, which provide real-time data on consumption and storage, reducing transportation costs and avoiding supply disruptions.
As Dina Foods continues its strategic investments, it remains committed to delivering authentic, high-standard products to customers both in the UK and internationally.
