Spanning Burton’s manufacturing sites in Llantarnam, Blackpool and Edinburgh, as well as a chocolate refinery in Moreton, the investment is focused on innovative technology to guarantee quality and maximise output. In addition, the new technology will facilitate the ramped-up production of recent new product developments.
The company, which produces brands such as Wagon Wheels, Maryland Cookies, Jammie Dodgers and Cadbury biscuits (produced under licence), invested £13.75m in its supply chain in 2013, and £12.5m in 2012.
The new investment will further develop Burton’s savoury snacks expertise. In addition, Burton’s will invest in its Cookie Centre of Excellence at Blackpool to enable it to produce cookie variants for tastes from all corners of the world.
Following a successful pilot, the company will roll out industry first control room technology that monitors the baking process in real time, to all sites in 2014.
Neil Grocock, chief supply chain officer at Burton’s Biscuit Company, said: “This increased investment in our manufacturing capabilities is a driving force behind the company’s ambitions to expand the footprint of its Power Brands – domestically and internationally – through new products and formats, as well as expanding our distribution base. We’re launching some of the most innovative products in the marketplace, and investing in our capabilities enables us to bring these new products to market quicker than any other company in the market.”
Other initiatives include investment in new packaging capabilities to meet the growing demand for snacks on-the-go, such as portion packs, providing consumers with convenient calorie-controlled choices.
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