Burton’s Biscuit Company invests £14.75M in snack tech

Spanning Burton’s manufacturing sites in Llantarnam, Blackpool, and Edinburgh, as well as a chocolate refinery in Moreton, the investment is focused on innovative technology to guarantee quality and maximise output, the firm reported. 

The site upgrades would help the business meet increased production targets for recent new product launches, it said, and follow its acquisition by Ontario Teachers Pension Fund in November 2013.

Burton’s, which also produces Wagon Wheels, as well as Cadbury biscuits under licence for Mondelēz International, invested £13.75M in its supply chain in 2013, and £12.5M in 2012. 

Ambitions for growth​ 

This third year of significant investment underlined its ambitions for growth, the firm said. Building on the successful launch of its savoury lines, Cathedral City Baked Bites and Fish ‘n’ Chips, the move would help further develop its savoury snacks expertise, it added. 

In addition, Burton’s aims to invest in its Cookie Centre of Excellence at Blackpool to enable it to produce cookie varieties catering for the tastes of global consumers. 

Following a successful pilot the company also plans to roll out industry-first control room technology, which monitors the baking process in real time, to all sites this year. 

Calorie-controlled choices​ 

Other initiatives include investment in new packaging capabilities to meet the growing demand for snacks on the go, such as portion packs, providing consumers with convenient calorie-controlled choices. 

“This increased investment in our manufacturing capabilities is a driving force behind the company’s ambitions to expand the footprint of its power brands – domestically and internationally,”​ said Neil Grocock, chief supply chain officer at Burton’s. 

“We’re launching some of the most innovative products in the marketplace, and investing in our capabilities enables us to bring these new products to market quicker than any other company.”​