Sweetdreams follows World Confectionery Conference success with new UK manufacturing facilities

Fresh from claiming a Team of the Year award at our World Confectionery Conference event last week, Sweetdreams Limited is celebrating further in agreeing a deal for an advanced new manufacturing base in Ashington, Northumberland, writes Neill Barston.

The company claimed honours at our event at the NHow Bloom Hotel last Thursday, with judges having praised the firm’s recent expansion of its core Choc Nibbles lines, as well as recently expanding its production capabilities that has seen it extend its range of retail listings.

Notably, as recently reported, the business was acquired by the SugaRich group of firms, though its management team led by Matthew and Cathy Stephenson has been maintained, who are confident of driving their venture to the next level, after it has undergone consistent evolution over the past three decades, and under their own guiding hand for over ten years.

The company’s former site at Cramlington near Newcastle, UK, had undergone a £500,000 expansion in 2017 owing to the success of the brand, which has sought to carve out a niche for its Choc Nibbles, which the business has added to over the past year with its Gozo premium chocolate, as well as regionally-focused confectionery specialities.

As the business acknowledged, its manufacturing upgrade has been enabled through the  Advance Northumberland regeneration organisation, which identified and secured the ideal location for Sweetdreams’ new facility on Jubilee Industrial Estate in Ashington.

The relocation reaffirms SugaRich’s commitment to investing in Northumberland’s economic growth and the future of Sweetdreams Limited, with its investment in this multimillion-pound site in Ashington represents a significant step toward expanding into new markets while retaining and creating jobs within the region.

A representative of Advance Northumberland with Matthew Stephenson at the company’s new HQ. Pic: Advance Northumberland

Working alongside some of the world’s largest blue-chip manufacturers, Sweetdreams is well-positioned to innovate and thrive in this new chapter, solidifying Northumberland’s reputation as a hub for industry and manufacturing excellence.

Matthew Stephenson, (pictured below with the company’s Gozo chocolate at the last edition of ProSweets in Germany), commented: “Advance Northumberland’s comprehensive support made it an easy decision for Sweetdreams to keep Northumberland as its home base, underscoring the region’s commitment to nurturing new and developing businesses as well as large-scale manufacturing enterprises. Their ability to deliver on this project within a tight period highlights their efficiency and strong partnership capabilities. Advance Northumberland’s dedication to attracting and retaining businesses like Sweetdreams is evident in their extensive support for skills development, training, and infrastructure.”

Speaking to Confectionery Production at this year’s World Confectionery Conference, Andy Baxendale, of Sweetdreams, who is also an editorial board member of our publication, welcomed the company’s success in what was a notably tough award category.

He said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have won, it reflects the hard work that has been done at the company, from the bottom to the top, as well as reflecting the direction of the business, which is increasing in both capacity and value, so this is brilliant news to have gained these honours,” adding that the future looked exceptionally bright for its operations, as it begins life in a new, advanced production site that is set to herald the next chapter in its development.

Steven Harrison, Chief Executive Officer at Advance Northumberland said: “I’m thrilled that our team have been able to work successfully with Sweetdreams to secure their relocation to Ashington. I’m also really looking forward to watching this high calibre business grow from strength to strength in a town which has an increasingly bright future ahead of itself.”

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Supporting Business and Opportunities, added: “It’s great to see this well-known and successful relocating to cutting-edge facilities in Ashington.
“The county is increasingly attractive to businesses of all sizes, whether they’re looking to relocate or upsize. It’s another boost for the Ashington area and we wish Sweetdreams every success for the future.”