Plans by two major producers to expand their operations and take on 130 more staff represents a vote of confidence in a district becoming increasingly known for its food production, a council leader has claimed.
Councillor Mark Robson said while Hambleton had no long-term manufacturing tradition, planning applications lodged by fizzy drinks firm Cawingredients and sausage producer Heck highlighted the growing appeal of the district and in particular the A1(M) corridor near Bedale.
He said the large investments by two very successful companies marked another milestone in the expansion of food manufacturing in the area, which is also home to major firms such as R&R Ice Cream, smoked foods firm Bleikers and soup producers Yorkshire Provender.
Cawingredients, a £51m turnover firm with 173 employees, is one of a number of companies that form part of the key cluster of food businesses located at Leeming Bar Industrial Estate.
In 2010, it established one of the UK’s most technically advanced soft drinks production facilities at the site location, since which the business has grown exponentially.
Proposals lodged earlier this month with the council will represent the third phase of Cawingredients’ plans to develop of its warehouse facilities.
The main element of the proposal includes a warehouse and distribution facility with an office space, measuring 9,263sq m, and 20 extra HGV
bays.
It is anticipated that the warehouse extension will give rise to up to 50 new jobs, taking the total number of jobs at Cawingredients to approximately 270 staff.
A spokesman for the firm said: “The continued investments made by Cawingredients represent a significant statement of confidence
in Leeming Bar Industrial Estate as a location for leading-edge food businesses, taking advantage of its accessibility to the A1M.”
Meanwhile, sausage producer Heck has lodged a planning application to enlarge the existing food production facility and associated storage and distribution elements at Kirklington, also off the A1(M), adding 80 more staff to the 120 it employs there.
The firm said recruiting for the staff would again focus on the local area and that the proposals would facilitate additional production lines, further storage for raw ingredients, additional packaging capacity and distribution.
Cllr Robson said the expansion of industry in the district’s business parks, including Leeming Bar and Dalton industrial estates, also owed much to the authority’s determination to support businesses and multi-national firms highlighting benefits of locating there.
He said: “We are still in the consultation period of a new Local Plan, and there is potential for a number of additional acres within the Leeming Bar area.”
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