80 jobs created at biscuit factory

by Ben Robinson - 09/03/2010

"Recruitment is set to get under way after 80 jobs were created at a Lancashire biscuit factory."

Northern Foods has created the roles at its Fox's Biscuits site, in Kirkham, near Preston, as part of a £26.5m investment in new technology.

New robotic production lines are to be installed at the site as part of an upgrade which has created a range of permanent roles including engineering, production line management, procurement and warehousing.

Graham Hunter, managing director of Fox's Biscuits, said: "We're pleased to be starting recruitment at Kirkham as part of our investment across all our sites over this year and next.

"As a business which has been around for 150 years and wants to be here in another 150 years, our £26.5 million investment in new technology will help to further improve our competitiveness.

"This investment demonstrates our belief in the long-term success of the Fox's brand."

The new jobs have coincided with the arrival of more work at the site as the business ramps up sales and marketing of its Rocky chocolate bar.

The multi-million pound investment will be spread across the company's other two sites in Batley, West Yorkshire and Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire.

Last week the Evening Post reported 200 new jobs are set to be created with an £8m scheme to build an office complex.

Work is set to get under way on 23 offices supporting 150 jobs on the South Rings Business Park at the M6-M65 interchange at Bamber Bridge, near Preston.

Darran Lawless, director of the firm behind the plan, Muse Developments, said there is also scope for three more blocks bringing 1,000 more jobs in the next five years.

More Details: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/80-jobs-created-at-biscuit.6133499.jp