Sweetdreams invests £500,000 in new factory
UK chocolatier Sweetdreams has invested £500,000 in a new 15,000 sq ft factory, which is expected to significantly increase the company’s production output and create new jobs.
Sweetdreams, creators of Choc Nibbles, has seen growth of 32% over the past financial year, thanks partly to extended discount sector penetration, new product development, international export, including the company’s first export to Ireland, as well as the development of its existing customer base.
The new factory, based in Cramlington, is 50% larger than the company’s existing factory and will allow it to double its output at a minimum. The factory will initially produce 25 tonnes of product per week with capacity for more. It has been built to BRC (British Retail Consortium) standards with the expectation of achieving the globally recognised accreditation within six months.
Matthew Stephenson, owner and managing director of Sweetdreams, says, “We already have the keys to the factory and will be operating from the new premises from early October.
“This is a really exciting time for Sweetdreams; we identified a gap in the market for a high-end chocolate coated product and so we have invested £200,000 in panning and coating technology. This new process will allow us to enhance existing product offerings, develop new products and reach out to brand new markets and customers.”
“I am delighted with the new premises, Sweetdreams has doubled in size over the past two years and by investing in the best technology and people possible my intention is to cycle that standard of growth every three years moving forward. We are already a leading confectionery brand in the UK and we now have the capacity, standards and infrastructure to grow the success of Sweetdreams exponentially – increasing our national and international impact.”
As part of the expansion, four new senior staff members are already in role. Andy Baxendale, Mike Flower and Mark Robinson have over 100 years of combined chocolate making experience. Alex Roberts has also joined the company as financial director.
