MOWI want to "further invest in its people and the business" with more smart technology and automation at their fish factory in Rosyth.

They've submitted a planning application to Fife Council to extend their food processing facility at Admiralty Park, where more than 500 people work, and provide additional loading bays.

Bertil Buysse, managing director of Mowi Consumer Products UK, said: "To compete in a global market – and continually improve upon process efficiencies and workplace health and safety – the company plans to invest in smart technology and automation which will require an increase in work space since automated lines require more space and line length.

"One of these investments will be AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) that perform internal logistics of palletisation and goods movement.

"To enable for this improvement, Mowi have applied to planning for relocation of the loading dock area."

He said that, over the past two years, the company had increased its production capacity and footprint by more than 50 per cent due to growth with existing customers and an expanded customer base.

This is mainly due to an increase in pre-packed added value consumer products based on salmon and trout.

Last October, the company confirmed it was spending £1.5 million on expanding capability and efficiency at Rosyth.

The latest proposals, which would see three loading bays added to Hall B at the eastern side of the site, are to prepare for an expected increase in demand and to support further automation.

Mr Buysse concluded: "To continue to deliver healthy foods across the UK, Mowi in Rosyth will further invest in its people and the business, which, during these challenging times, is even more important.”

The Rosyth fish factory has played its part during lockdown, continuing its partnership with FareShare to donate fresh salmon to the most vulnerable in Fife.

Mowi has partnered with the charity, which helps rescue good-quality surplus food that would otherwise have gone to waste and sends it to almost 11,000 charity and community groups across the UK, since 2017.

Last year, the donations added up to around 10,000 meals.