Tangerine Confectionery invests £7.5m to increase capacity

Tangerine Confectionery has invested £7.5 million into its York factory to increase production capacity by 30% and create 90 new jobs.

The investment follows Valeo Food’s 2018 buyout of Yorkshire-based Tangerine Confectionery – the maker of well-known sweet brands including Barratt and Henry Goode – and its subsequent merger with Leicester-based Big Bear Confectionery, to create Valeo Confectionery UK.

Tangerine Confectionery has invested £7.5 million into its York factory to increase production capacity by 30% and create 90 new jobs / Picture: Zenoot

As part of the merger, production of Big Bear’s popular brands Fox’s and Poppets will move to the York site, already the home of well-known sweet brands Jameson’s Caramels, Coconut Ruffles and Taveners.

The investment will also allow for an additional 2,000 tonnes of retailer own-brand confectionery to be produced at the factory.

An additional two production lines will be created as part of the expansion, with around 90 jobs generated for the region, including roles in engineering, site management, maintenance and production.

The expansion is already well underway with the new lines expected to come into operation from October 2019.

Mark Townsley, factory general manager at Tangerine Confectionery, said: “Our York site has a long heritage which goes back to the 1960’s and we’re thrilled it’s becoming home to more of the UK’s best-loved sweet brands with the addition of Fox’s and Poppets. The region as a whole has a strong history of confectionery production, and this investment will help carry this even further.

“The site is seen as a pillar of the community, with generations of families working here. Its expansion will allow for even more to begin careers within confectionery and we urge anyone interested to enquire about opportunities.”

Russell Tanner, marketing and category director at Tangerine Confectionery, added: “This investment marks a significant step in the amalgamation of our brands and is a hugely positive move for sweet production in York.

“We aim to build on the heritage of Tangerine and Big Bear to be the most innovative, sustainable and supportive confectionery brand in the UK and this expansion will be the foundation of our new business.”