From October, Nestlé confirmed it would make 5,500t of Peanut Butter Cups annually at the facility for export to the US market.
“I’m delighted that Halifax has been chosen to produce this popular new product in the UK,” said factory manager Giles Mann.
‘Great leadership’
“It’s great that we have been able to work with the US to find a way to benefit both our markets. Despite internal and external options across the world, Halifax has shown great leadership in manufacturing capability and more importantly a great desire to bring the production to West Yorkshire.”
Chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne welcomed the move as he visited the plant yesterday (February 5).
The visit formed a key part of prime minister David Cameron’s and the Chancellor’s tour of Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.
‘Major investment’
Osborne said: “I’m delighted that Nestlé’s Halifax site has won this major new investment that will create 45 new jobs in the local area and boost their exports.”
“Our long term economic plan for Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire is all about backing successful manufacturing businesses in Britain that export across the world and benefit their local economies.”
Halifax MP Linda Riordan added: “I welcome this investment and the new jobs that will be created in the town. Nestlé has a hard working and dedicated local workforce. I am pleased that workers’ hard work been rewarded with this new order.
“It’s a welcome boost that Nestlé continue to invest and expand the Halifax site, which is a key part of our local economy.”
Cornerstone of plan
The chancellor announced that a cornerstone of that plan was to build on the region’s strengths as a centre for manufacturing and create Europe’s largest advanced manufacturing cluster.
Nestlé, which employs almost 5,000 people in the UK and Ireland across 21 sites, sells almost two billion products every year to 97% of households there. The Halifax site produces Quality Street, After Eight and Easter eggs, and employs up to 1,000 people at times of peak production.
Nestlé is also one of the UK food industry’s largest exporters, exporting almost £350M worth of products to over 70 countries every year.
For a full range of jobs in the grocery industry, visit Foodmanjobs.