The manufacturer behind the likes of popular brands Kingsmill, Ryvita and Pataks is opening a new office in Kings Hill.

ABF Grocery Group, which acts as a central support for the businesses within the Associated British Foods Grocery Division, has taken space in one of the buildings at Kings Hill designed for a range of functions.

It already has a base on the site, near West Malling.

Explains David Mills, Associated British Foods' head of group property: "As a divisional hub supporting nine other businesses in the UK and overseas we need dedicated office space that can provide flexible hot-desk seating as well as meeting and administrative facilities."

Associated British Foods is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of £15.4bn, 133,000 employees and operations in 50 countries. It also owns Primark.

Caroline Binnes of Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust added: "The company has had a presence at Kings Hill for 10 years but needed a specialised office, which we are delighted to have been able to provide.” s