Member of parliament for Pontefract, Yvette Cooper, who also serves as the UK government’s foreign secretary, has opened a £35 million  production facilities extension for Haribo’s British division, reports Neill Barston.

According to the company, its major capital investment includes a new warehouse for its operations, as well as a additional packaging lines for its site in Castleford, Yorkshire.

The extension was delivered with Caddick Construction, and built using a local supply chain, will allow us to manage future product volumes, stock additional raw materials and packaging, and further modernise its facilities.

Notably, the company now employs some 700 people in the UK, and has remained committed to its West Yorkshire location, with the business now operating in the region for the past 50 years.

Moreover, the German-founded firm observed that 2026 had proved a strong year for the business in the UK, for its core Haribo and Maom lines, as well as a period of significant community engagement for the business. This includes contributions to the Martin House Children’s Hospice, as well as being a sponsor for the  Pontefract Liquorice Festival this year, further celebrating sweet manufacturing in the region.

Opening the extension, Yvette Cooper, MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, remarked: “It was great to cut the ribbon at the opening of the new warehouse at HARIBO’s Castleford site. I’m really pleased that the new warehouse will allow them to expand and continue to support 700 jobs across our area.”

“HARIBO are a brilliant manufacturer who have been at the heart of our towns for decades, carrying on our sweet making tradition.”

Phil Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer, HARIBO UK & Ireland believed that the business had played a significant role in the region’s community. The company has continued to expand its presence in the region, including opening a numbe of retail stores that have further enhanced its presence.

“We’ve been part of West Yorkshire for more than 50 years and we’re very proud to call it home. The region plays a hugely important role in HARIBO’s success across the UK, from the products we make here through to the people, skills and manufacturing expertise that support our operations every day. Being the UK’s leading sweets manufacturer is something we are incredibly proud of, and this investment reflects the important role West Yorkshire continues to play in that success,” explained Phil of the company’s operations in the region, that are continuing to play a notable role in its global business.

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