A THREE-year investment programme at Dalepak Foods is nearly complete.

The programme has seen about £8.75m ploughed into the company's production facility at Leeming Bar, in North Yorkshire.

The frozen food specialist is now more than two-thirds of the way through a substantial upgrading programme, including a £3m investment in a new freezing system that will allow line-by-line segregation when it is completed in 2002.

The introduction of a new IT system and financial software has also led to a more streamlined operation.

One particularly successful part of the programme has been the introduction of new flame-grilled technology.

That helped give Dalepak the edge over its competitors during last year's summer season, which saw a 77 per cent increase in sales of its flame-grilled products.

The commitment to investment coincided with the arrival of a new managing director, Jon Eagle, 40. Formerly with Fox Biscuits, Mr Eagle's appointment in 1999 marked the beginning of a new era for the company, which introduced the world to grillsteaks in 1976, and still holds a 51 per cent share of the market 25 years later.

Mr Eagle has made sweeping changes in Dalepak's sales and marketing teams.

Headed by former Fox's colleague, Antony Harrison, 33, everyone in the sales department has been recruited in the past 12 months, while a fresh look at the company's approach to marketing is coming on stream under head of marketing, Colin Brown, 34.

Mr Eagle said: "There have been some big changes at Dalepak over the last year, but they have been necessary in order to secure a tighter manufacturing operation and a stronger, more dynamic team.

"We are now in a position where we can focus on giving both retailers and consumers added value, in terms of both products and support.

"Our long-term goal is to double our current turnover of £50m within five years. It is wholly achievable.