A UTTOXETER councillor has welcomed news of the creation of 100 jobs at a town biscuit factory as demand for its products continues to grow.
Councillor Geoff Morrison, who represents Uttoxeter town on Staffordshire County Council, has celebrated news that Fox’s Biscuits Cheadle Road factory has seen production increase by more than 30 per cent, leading to the creation of more jobs to meet the demand.
The biscuit manufacturer, which is part of 2 Sisters Food Group, has announced it has created around 100 positions so far this year, taking the total of new recruits to 200 since August last year.
Councillor Morrison said: “This is fantastic news for Uttoxeter. It doesn’t seem so long ago that we were marching down the High Street to try to keep our factory open. Well done to the 2 Sisters’ group.” Fox’s has recently secured several business wins, mainly for supermarket own label biscuits, including Aldi and Tesco, and for new product launches, including the company’s first foray into the savoury biscuit market, Fox’s Magnificos.
With consumer demand for supermarket ownlabel biscuits increasing, production at the Uttoxeter site, which makes mainly own-label products, has increased by about 36 per cent over the past 12 months.
Kevin Hand, Fox’s Uttoxeter general manager, has previously said: “This is good news for Fox’s and 2 Sisters and shows how our focus on working with our customers to grow the business is starting to pay off.
“While the biscuits market remains tough and highly competitive, we have been able to secure new business mainly in supermarket own label which has seen an increase in demand.
“Fox’s is continuing to innovate, with new snacking products and a number of new launches, including Rocky Chockas.
“It’s pleasing for our employees that we have been able to win new business although the market remains very challenging.” Fox’s has also announced it is expanding its iconic Party Rings for the first time by introducing chocolate to the popular brand.
The Fox’s Party Choc Rings will retain the famous ring design with a chocolate base and chocolate flavoured icing with white decoration.
The biscuits were launched in Asda last month before they are rolled out to other major supermarkets and independent retailers.
