Baker invests in manufacturing
UK biscuit producer Burton’s Biscuit Company has announced that it is investing £2m in its manufacturing operation in Blackpool.
The investment will enable cookie capacity to increase by nearly 700 tonnes per year, and see Blackpool established as the company’s Cookie Centre of Excellence. It is part of Burton’s £13.5m investment throughout 2013, in building its supply chain and manufacturing excellence to help secure the future supply of products to retailers all over the world.
The Cookie Centre of Excellence will drive innovation in cookie production, through the introduction of a filled cookie line, which includes a new dough depositor and auto-case packer as well as upgrades to existing wrapping equipment to facilitate widespread efficiency improvements. The investment in new technology enables Burton’s to further improve the throughput of its lines, with some now running 24 hours seven days a week, which has also generated opportunities to up-skill employees.
The Centre of Excellence is also leading the way in cookie innovation with large sized cookies, and a Cadbury cookie variant for France that is nougatine-based. The industry-leading innovation is a result of close collaboration between production and commercial teams who have recently successfully delivered the new Maryland Big and Chunky and Gooeys to market, from the Blackpool site.
Burton’s Biscuit Company, a major player in the UK biscuit market, has been producing much-loved treats including Maryland Cookies and Cadbury Fingers at its Blackpool facility, which employs nearly 600 people, since 1937.
Derek Harris, factory general manager at Burton’s Biscuit Company Blackpool, said: “Our investment in capabilities such as the new Cookies Centre of excellence, enables us to continue to lead from the front and keep the market fresh by bringing new and innovative products to market quicker than anyone else – transforming the biscuit aisle.”
In addition to this investment, Burton’s has committed to employing two apprentices at each of its facilities. The Blackpool apprentices started their training last month and join the two existing Blackpool apprentices who are in their third year of a multi-skilled training programme.
