The investment follows Valeo’s 2018 buyout of Tangerine – the maker of sweet brands such as Barratt and Henry Goode – and its subsequent merger with Leicester-based Big Bear Confectionery, to create Valeo Confectionery UK.
Two production lines are being installed as part of the expansion, with jobs being generated in engineering, site management, maintenance and production.
As part of the merger, production of Big Bear brands Fox’s and Poppets will move to the York site, already the home of sweet brands Jameson’s Caramels, Coconut Ruffles and Taveners. It is currently unclear whether jobs will be lost at the Leicester factory.
The investment will also allow for an additional 2,000t of retailer own-label confectionery to be produced at York.
Expansion is underway
Mark Townsley, factory general manager at Tangerine Confectionery, said the expansion was already well underway with the new lines expected to come into operation from October 2019.
“Our York site has a long heritage that goes back to the 1960s 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.”
Townsley added that the site was seen as “a pillar of the community”, with generations of families having worked there. “Its expansion will allow for even more to begin careers within confectionery and we urge anyone interested to enquire about opportunities,” he added.
A positive move for sweet production
Russell Tanner, marketing and category director at Tangerine Confectionery, said: “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.”
Tangerine Confectionery was sold to Valeo for a figure believed to be more than £100m in August 2018.
The deal followed Valeo’s 2017 acquisition of Raisio Plc’s Big Bear Confectionery division in 2017. Headquartered in Ireland, Valeo is partly owned by private equity firm CapVest.
