A MULTI-MILLION pound investment by a leading catering industry supplier will see a reshuffle of its operations, with Chepstow benefitting from a new depot and potentially 160 new jobs by 2014.

The company 3663 plans to shut its Caldicot site and concentrate its South Wales operations at a larger building on the the outskirts of the nearby town.

Based on Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate, it will be larger than an 11,241m squared multi-temperature depot it opened in Wakefield at the end of last month. It could employ up to 160 people, but the firm will not be drawn on an exact figure.

Staff at the Caldicot depot, on Severn Bridge Industrial Estate, Portskewett, have been told of the news.

A spokeswoman for 3663 said: “The current jobs there will be secured by the move. Everybody at that office has the opportunity to relocate.”

Four new 3663 depots will be opening across the UK, the second stage of a multi-million pound infrastructure investment.

Alex Fisher, managing director of 3663 said: “This announcement comes on top of £40 million of recent new account wins and additional category supply agreements with major regional and national customers including Subway, TGI, Rank Group and David Lloyd Leisure. We have also seen significant additional growth from the independent sector.” The first phase of the company’s investment roll-out began in 2012 with extended service coverage following the acquisition of Scotland’s Forteith Foodservice in July and South Lincs Foodservice in October.

During the same period 3663 also increased freezer capacity across its network by upgrading a number of existing depot facilities.

Additional facilities are also planned for Hoddesdon, Herts and Bicester, Oxon.

Mr Fisher added: “We remain committed to operating from depots close to our customers as we believe this is key to ensuring the best service levels and flexibility whilst reducing food miles and supporting the local communities in which we operate.”

Cllr Armand Watts, who would see the new jobs created in his ward, said: “This is good news for the area, I welcome it but I am unclear how many new jobs they are intending to advertise. I would be interested to see what implications this has for employees at the Avonmouth depot.”

The 3663 spokeswoman said the company has no plans to close that site.