The refurbishment involves a 43,000 sq ft extension of the factory, which includes a 32,300 sq ft cooking and preparation warehouse. The company is headquartered on the site of the Seabrook factory in Bradford, with another plant in Deeside, Flintshire.
The second phase will see the construction of a second 10,800 sq ft storage warehouse in Bradford.
“This planning approval is a further and significant step forward for Calbee UK,” said Daniel Woodwards, Calbee Group UK MD.
“The focus we have on producing delicious crisps and snacks at everyday affordable prices is really resonating with retail customers and shoppers alike.
“What we want to do now is to increase the capacity of our core crisps, having extended the range and variety of snacks we offer earlier this year.”
Centres of excellence
Calbee Group UK is the UK arm of Calbee Inc, the Japan-headquartered snacks and cereals giant that has a footprint in 12 countries and a 3,800+-workforce. Under its 2030 vision, Calbee Inc. is committed to expanding both its product portfolio and overseas presence under its 2030 vision, a strategy the UK business is taking seriously.
The latest £12m expansion follows a £3m refurbishment at its Deeside site earlier this year to expand production capacity for its Harvest Snaps brand.
According to the company’s website, the Bradford factory is considered the Group’s centre of excellence for potato crisps, while the Deeside site is the centre of excellence for baked snack products.
The expansion “has allowed the Group to diversify its brand portfolio, with the launch of Harvest Snaps into healthier non-HFSS snacking, which is predicted to drive future growth in the UK market,” said the company.
“Accelerated capital and brand investment since the acquisition has resulted in significant growth in volume, value and household penetration for our brands, whilst bringing exciting new products to market.”
In the UK, HFSS products are deemed high in fat, sugar and sodium.
Added Woodwards, “Meeting with more of the snacking occasions we know shoppers enjoy allows us to put our long-term strategy and ambition for greater scale into practice.”