Arkady Craigmillar, a UK supplier of bakery ingredients and frozen products, announced this week that production of its confectionery mixes will move to its Manchester factory from a Unilever-owned facility in Suffolk.
The transfer signals the end of the transitional arrangements which have been in operation since CSM's acquisition of Arkady Craigmillar from Unilever in October 2000.
"We have been producing bread improvers and other ingredients at Skerton Road for over 70 years, and this investment will increase production by over 60 per cent. Manufacture of confectionery mixes will commence in September 2003. All products will be produced using the latest equipment and technology, which is to be installed over the next 12 months," said Steve Moon, managing director at Arkady Craigmillar.
The company is investing £4 million (€6.4m) to modernise the Skerton Road site in Old Trafford and increase capacity to start additional production next year. The development consolidates all Arkady Craigmillar's dry mix expertise in one facility.
In a statement this week, the company confirmed that the announcement safeguards the jobs of all Arkady Craigmillar's current employees in Manchester and will increase production to 24 hours a day, five days a week.