Crisp maker Tyrrells to recruit for hundreds of jobs

Staff would be recruited in North America, after the firm was bought by US-based Amplify Snack Brands for £300M in August. Roles would also need to be filled as Amplify’s SkinnyPop brand enters the UK.

Tyrrells’ md Mike Hedges said: “We have no business in North America, and Amplify has no business over here​. They’re going to take the Tyrrells brand and roll it out in North America, and we’ll take their SkinnyPop brand, and others, and do the same in the UK.​

“We’ll have to take on more staff to do that, and I’d say that over the next three years, we’ll recruit hundreds globally.”​

‘We’ll recruit hundreds globally’​

Hedges added that the UK’s plan to leave the EU wouldn’t affect the company’s recruitment or expansion plans. It was reported last week that 70% of food firms were less confident​ about the future since the Brexit vote, but the premium snacks firm’s md doesn’t see it as a problem.

“In 2008, during the last recession, none of the premium crisp brands suffered and I don’t think they will this time either – if there is a downturn,”​ Hedges said.

Tyrrells currently employs more than 300 people in the UK and around 500 globally. The company has more than doubled its annual sales since 2013 – when it was bought by private equity firm Investcorp – and its staff has grown by 70%.

‘A stellar performance’​

Tyrrells’ ceo David Milner said: “The team have delivered a stellar performance over the last few years.​

“As a small, UK farm-based business, it is a tremendous achievement to be now part of a US publicly-traded company with the international reach to make Tyrrells a global brand.”​

The crisp firm was bought by Amplify Snack Brands in August. The deal was completed at the end of September.

Meanwhile, Tyrrells bought Australian firm Yarra Valley Snack Foods last year. In May, it announced it had also acquired Germany-based organic crisp producer Aroma Snacks.