Frozen pizza maker Dr Oetker is planning to create more than 100 jobs at its Leyland plant following a £30m investment which has doubled capacity.

The business announced it had further plans for continued investment in the Moss Lane site, which produces Chicago Town and Dr Oetker Ristorante for the UK and international markets, to meet its growing UK and export plans.

The predicted expansion would result in an additional 120 jobs once fully implemented, according to the planning application.

Dr Oetker acquired the Schwans UK frozen pizza manufacturing facility in 2009, during which time it has grown its employee numbers from 360 to 440 people. 95% of its pizza sold in the UK is manufactured at this plant.

Chicago Town Deep Dish line​

On Wednesday 8th May it opened a new production line for its Chicago Town Deep Dish pizzas, and introduced advanced technology for faster and more efficient freezing.

“Dr Oetker is incredibly proud of our world-class facility and our new investment means we can continue to meet the demands for our great tasting pizzas both here in the UK and overseas,”​ Georg Heerdegen Pasbo, the company’s managing director said.

“Our investment demonstrates a clear commitment to the UK business and the future of pizza manufacturing in our Leyland facility. We are very grateful to the South Ribble Council and support of the local community without whom our expansion would not have been possible.”