A £24 million-plus beef processing facility being built in Ecclefechan is set to bring new jobs, apprenticeships and investment to Dumfries and Galloway.
Pickstock Telford’s project is expected to support about 250 jobs during construction, followed by 90 permanent positions once the site is operating. Around 40 apprenticeships are also planned, including 25 during the build and a further 15 when the facility is fully operational.
Construction gets under way
A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site on Wednesday, September 16, with representatives from Pickstock Telford, South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Dumfries and Galloway Council attending.
The development has received £4.7 million from SOSE, one of the agency’s largest investments to date. The facility is expected to open in early 2029, with the possibility of further employment opportunities in the future.
Lower-carbon food production
The new plant is being designed as a modern food production centre, with technology intended to reduce its environmental impact and improve energy resilience.
Plans include anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power, and solar energy generation. The facility is also expected to reduce livestock transport and generate renewable power on site, helping to cut carbon emissions while maintaining high animal welfare standards.
The project is intended to strengthen links with Scottish farmers and keep more of the value created by Scottish beef within the rural economy. It will also add processing capacity to the region’s food and farming sector.
Training and local careers
The apprenticeships are expected to cover both the construction phase and the long-term operation of the site. Supporters say the development will create routes into skilled work and help people build careers closer to home.
For Ecclefechan and the wider region, the investment combines food production with engineering, technical and renewable-energy skills. It is also designed to support local supply chains and rural businesses as the facility develops.
Why this is good news for Britain
The Ecclefechan project will create 90 long-term jobs and around 40 apprenticeships in a rural Scottish community, alongside hundreds of construction roles. Its use of on-site renewable energy, resource recovery and reduced livestock transport could also make the local beef supply chain more resilient and lower-carbon.
