The development is part of a £13.5M programme of annual spending announced by the biscuit giant earlier this year and follows a £4.6M injection of cash revealed in June.
The company said the latest money would fund the introduction of a filled cookie line, including a new dough depositor and auto-case packer as well as upgrades to existing wrapping equipment to increase efficiency.
Greater innovation
It confirmed the resultant improvements had enabled it to launch Maryland Gooeys, which have a soft chocolate centre. It enabled it to work on greater innovation in large cookies and a Cadbury-branded cookie variant for France that is nougatine-based.
Production and commercial teams had recently delivered Maryland Big and Chunky to the market from the Blackpool site, which employs 600 people and already makes Cadbury Fingers under licence, Burton’s added.
“Our investment in capabilities such as the new Cookies Centre of Excellence enables us to continue to lead from the front and keep the market fresh by bringing new and innovative products to market quicker than anyone else – transforming the biscuit aisle,” said Blackpool factory general manager Derek Harris.
Apprentices
Burton’s has also just recruited two apprentices for its Blackpool site, who will join two others who are in their third year of a multi-skilled training programme.
The company unveiled a £4.6M investment at its factory in Llantarnam, south Wales, which also makes Maryland cookies and Cadbury Fingers as well as Wagon Wheels and Jammie Dodgers, earlier this year.
The investment would enhance quality control with the latest camera monitoring technology and staff skills were also being ramped up at the Welsh factory, the firm reported at the time.