French fresh sauces maker Comexo is investing EUR15m (US$19.6m) in a new plant, located 500 metres from the existing one in Château-Renard, to increase production capacity and help develop new markets.

Sold by Heinz in 2007 in a management buy-out, Comexo turned out 13,000 tonnes of product last year encompassing reheatable sauces, mayonnaise, salad dressings, vinaigrettes and condiments.

The new 6,700 square metre plant is scheduled to be operational in autumn 2011.

Comexo supplies food brands, such as Heinz, while its customers also include restaurant chains and wholesalers. The company, founded in 1993, has also created its own sauces brand, Menu & Co. 

Turnover rose from EUR12.6m in 2006 to EUR22.3m last year.