Documents submitted to the local council by KMG on behalf of the manufacturer described Creative’s ambition to re-commence food production at the factory and bring employment back to the area.
In a statement, KMG said: “Recommissioning of the facility consists mainly of internal upgrades plus the external installation of supply silos and a trade effluent treatment plant, for which planning permission is being sought.”
The manufacturer planned to install seven 30,000-litre storage tanks along the rear of the main building, out of sight from Mosely Street and only partially visible from Burton Station Car park.
Water treatment plans
A dissolved air flotation plant – plus several smaller items of equipment – would also be positioned to the rear of the main building, mostly screened from other directions by buildings and boundary trees.
Production at the Kerry Foods factory in Burton ceased in August last year, as a result of the manufacturer losing a major supply deal with retailer Tesco. The factory previously employed up to 900 people.
Unite the Union confirmed 121 of its members (out of 800 shop floor workers) had found jobs as a result of four on-site job fairs attended by 50 employers. Brewer Molson Coors reached out to Kerry’s human resource team to raise awareness of vacancies at its local site.
OSI Group
Established in 1991, Creative Foods is part of the OSI Group – a US privately-owned holding company of meat processors.
As well as distributing Tabasco brand pepper sauce to the UK foodservice and manufacturing markets, it also produces food under the Harvest Farms, Atlantic Sauces & Dressings and Calder Foods brands.
Meanwhile, last month, an East Anglian ingredients supplier confirmed proposals to increase its production facilities with the development of a new factory.