2 minute read - 21st September 2023
Elkes Biscuits to create 250 new jobs
Uttoxeter-based Elkes Biscuits has announced plans to increase its workforce by more than 50 per cent following recent investments and strong sales growth.
The 115-year-old biscuit manufacturer has been given a boost with a combination of successful customer product launches and sales of existing own label lines increasing by a third over the past year. Sales revenue is also set to increase substantially over the next 12 months, backed by further investments.
A £1m investment in new equipment has provided the business – under new ownership since last year – with new capability in wrapping, ingredient handling and chocolate application processes.
With production volumes growing week-by-week, and volumes expected to increase further during 2024, the firm is now looking to immediately recruit 110 operational and managerial roles including electrical engineers, technicians, packers, machine operators, department managers and hygiene operatives. Available shifts include nights, weekends, continental shifts and rotating early or late shifts. The total number of opportunities will rise to 250 following further investments early next year.
Elkes Biscuits has announced plans to create 250 new jobs at its factory in Uttoxeter following recent investments and sales growth / Picture: Elkes/2SFG
Kevin Hand, site general manager at Elkes Biscuits, said: “We’re extremely pleased that recent investments and solid sales growth has driven the need for so many new opportunities. The current increase in own brand production alone means we need significant numbers of permanent roles. We’re planning on relaunching the Elkes Biscuits brand next year which will offer fantastic quality and value at a time when every penny counts for shoppers, so we’re going to be extremely busy and need to recruit as many people as we can.
“I think Elkes is a fantastic place to work and I would urge the local community to consider whether they’d like to be part of a 115-year-old success story in making products that everyone loves. Many generations of families have either worked here or still work here, and it clearly means so much to so many people. We’re proud to be at the heart of the local community and be one of the town’s biggest employers. I would urge those with the right skill sets and ‘can-do’ attitudes to get in touch.”
Kevin explained there would be further investment in training, apprenticeships and career development opportunities to expand the “Elkes Family” in the future.
Its current product range includes own label custard creams and chocolate malted milks, as well as premium retailer chocolate custard and bourbon creams. Elkes was saved from closure in March 2022 after being sold to Boparan Private Office (BPO).
Anyone interested in applying for a role should contact elkesrecruitment@2sfg.com