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Warburtons invests £2.5m in dedicated gluten-free plant in Newburn

1 commentBy Elaine Watson, 29-Nov-2010

Warburtons has pumped more than £2.5m into building a dedicated facility in Newburn to support the launch of a new eight-strong range of gluten-free products.

The new lines, launching in mid-January, include 400g white and brown loaves (RSP £2.49), 600g white and brown loaves (£2.89), white and brown sub rolls (£1.99, three-pack), teacakes (£2.19, four-pack) and crumpets (£2.19, four-pack).

A spokeswoman told FoodManufacture.co.uk: "The new dedicated gluten-free bakery boasts the standard bread-making equipment such as mixers, a prover, an oven-cooler and a packaging facility. Alongside this there is also a raw material store and despatch. The site also includes new pieces such as depositing equipment."

She added: "During the initial start up nine employees will be recruited, however we are looking to expand this to a team of 20 within the first six- months."

Commercial development director Jason Uttley added: “We received a large number of calls from consumers asking us for a gluten-free Warburtons product.

“As well as being an exciting diversification for the brand, the launch of the gluten-free range offers a great opportunity to bring the Warburtons brand to new consumers.”

The products will go head to head with the Genius gluten-free brand, which is now worth £10m at retail level according to manufacturer United Central Bakeries.

1 comment (Comments are now closed)

Warburtons' gluten-free bread.

On buying this bread I found it to be very brittle, broken inside the pack, I thought it would be just how it was put on the shelf in the shop. So I went to another supermarket and found the same results, so would not advise anyone to buy this as you are wasting your money.

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Posted by Mrs A Stocks
14 February 2011 | 20h29

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