Haribo unveils new £92m factory

Business secretary Vince Cable is visiting the site of the proposed factory at Whitwood Common Lane in Whitwood today and will view plans for the £92m project.

Work is expected to be completed by April 2015 and once fully operational, the plant will employ 286 people and produce 48,000 tonnes of treats a year.

Herwig Vennekens, managing director of Haribo, said: “After two years of planning it’s great to finally get to the stage where we are setting the foundations that support our plans for growth within the UK.

“This investment in a new facility will enhance Haribo’s production capabilities and help us to meet the growing demand for our products.

“Our existing factory is near capacity and so this new site will allow for progressive expansion, enabling us to continue to extend our offering and to develop new and innovative products.”

The company was awarded £6.4m from the government as part of the Regional Growth Fund in 2011.

But after two years of planning, sweet bosses officially announced plans for the purpose built facility today.The recruitment process for the new facility has already started, with 15 people joining the HARIBO team. Roles will vary, from machine operators through to management positions.

Mr Cable said: “Haribo’s investment, supported by £6.4 million from the Regional Growth Fund, is a boost for the region creating 286 jobs and increasing manufacturing activity.”