A Cross Hands-based chilled food distributor has undergone a major expansion scheme leading to the creation of 60 new jobs across the company’s seven centres.

As part of the growth, NR Evans has purchased 18 new HGVs and 15 refrigerated trailers, expanding its road fleet to more than 200 vehicles.

The expansion has come thanks to a £3million Lloyds Bank loan facility.

The investment has enabled the firm to take on more and bigger contracts, and the new jobs created have seen its total workforce increase to more than 400.

One of the biggest temperature controlled distribution companies in the UK, NR Evans delivers more than £500million worth of chilled products annually from seven operating centres located in Carmarthenshire, Anglesey and Newport, as well as in the West Midlands, Derbyshire, Bedford and Bridlington.

Neil Evans, Managing Director of NR Evans, said: “We’re pleased to have completed this latest stage of our growth plan, with the hire purchase facility from Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance allowing us to modernise and boost our fleet.

“As part of this, we’re proud to have created 60 new roles within our business throughout our seven operating centres, helping to support local employment in the regions in which we operate.”

Richard Stevenson, Senior Regional Manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance, said: “We worked closely with NR Evans to provide the business with the right funding solution to help it facilitate its growth plans without impacting on its daily cashflow.

Paul Williams, Relationship Director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Growing, ambitious businesses like NR Evans with a clear plan for continued expansion are the driving force of the UK economy, and we’re proud to support companies like this as they create new jobs and invest in the future of their business.”