Driving success together: A tale of collaboration and business support for Danish Crown

Background

Danish Crown, one of the world’s leading producers of pork and beef products, spoke to the RDA in 2021 about the need for more space to accommodate their growing business. They had a facility close by but were looking for a nearby location to facilitate their expansion.

Process: Strategic Solution Development

The RDA worked with Danish Crown to find the most appropriate space in the ideal locations for their business, identifying Monarch 330, a 330,000 sq ft unit on Kingsway Business Park that aligned with the company’s space requirements.

The RDA team facilitated this process by arranging viewings and ongoing discussions to understand Danish Crown’s needs more thoroughly. These discussions extended beyond just finding the right space but also addressed logistics, recruitment, and the broader business community to ensure a holistic solution. Key considerations included transport access for ease of operations, proximity to local talent for recruitment, and integrating the company into the wider business network.

Solution: Tailored to Business Needs

Space:

The availability of Monarch 330 proved to be an ideal solution. The building, located in a prime area, offered sufficient space for Danish Crown’s operational requirements, and following capital investment of over £100m from the business to create the state of the art processing facility provided them with the capacity to scale their business efficiently.

Partnerships for Workforce Development

Over a two year period Danish Crown predicts the creation of 350-400 new jobs, this figure includes the relocation of the head office function from Whitefield which took place in 2024.  This expansion was also supported by a network of local partners, who assisted with recruitment, training, and talent development to ensure the company could meet its workforce demands. 

Employment Links

Employment Links worked closely with Danish Crown to advertise job roles, hold recruitment days, and screen over 2,000 applicants. This partnership played a pivotal role in meeting Danish Crown’s recruitment goals. Hopwood Hall College provided critical support through apprenticeships and leadership development programs, offering leadership and management training to their team. To date, 22 individuals have gone through the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) programs for managers and supervisors. A second cohort for ILM training also took place in 2024 along with a new food production apprentice program, aimed at training production operatives.

Hopwood Hall College also worked with Danish Crown to provide a food production line that would assist learners in becoming engineers and production operatives, thus enhancing their skills and offering direct value to Danish Crown.

MIDAS & DBT Support

The Manchester Investment Development Agency Service (MIDAS) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) provided account management and ongoing progress updates to ensure the deal’s success. Regular meetings with Danish Crown allowed for feedback and adjustments to keep the project on track, ensuring that the expansion met their objectives.

Results & Impact

The combined efforts of the RDA, local partners, and Danish Crown’s proactive approach to expansion resulted in a successful relocation and business growth strategy. Monarch 330 provided the space needed for their operations, and the ongoing workforce development initiatives ensured the company could meet its staffing needs.
• Over 2,000 candidates were screened, addressing Danish Crown’s immediate recruitment needs.
• 22 individuals went through leadership training programs, with more expected in the upcoming cohort.
• The partnership with Hopwood Hall College also contributed to the development of a skilled workforce through the food production apprenticeship program, preparing new operatives for the challenges of food manufacturing.
• Ongoing collaboration with MIDAS and DiT ensured the company had the necessary business support and progress tracking.

Danish Crown’s expansion has been a success, bolstered by strong partnerships and a strategic approach to recruitment, training, and operational setup.

Conclusion

Danish Crown case highlights the importance of collaboration between business, education, and government agencies. By addressing their space, recruitment, and workforce development needs, Danish Crown was able to expand successfully and continue to grow in the UK market. This case also demonstrates how regional support services can play a key role in helping international companies scale efficiently while integrating into the local community.