Around 100 jobs to be created after food factory is sold

Cumbrian firm Excelsior Foods says it's set to create a multi-million pound investment in Staffordshire after purchasing the former Premier Foods site in Knighton, close to the border with Shropshire - with recruitment set to begin for around 100 roles at the site.

Excelsior, part of the wider Kendal Nutricare group which owns the Kendamil and Bonya powdered baby-milk formula brands, says it wants to bring the Knighton site "back to its former glory" after former owners Premier Foods had announced plans for a phased shutdown of manufacturing at the site in early 2023.

The firm says recruitment has now started for roles at the site, with laboratory assistants, production supervisors and HR and IT support personnel set to be recruited as part of a multi-million pound investment in a "fully functioning" operation over the next two years.

“This is great news and further demonstration of how we are attracting national brands to the area alongside helping our existing small and medium businesses to grow," said Borough Council Leader, Aidan Godfrey.

“Kendal Nutricare is a world-renowned organisation and have been looking at various sites throughout the UK so to choose to build their new factory in our borough sends a positive message that this is a great area to invest, and do business in. This will bring new jobs, a boost to our borough economy, and, I expect having the site back in business will be helping the local communities already.”

The company highlighted local knowledge of the industry and production, alongside the borough council's "proactive approach" to bringing employment opportunities to the area, as reasons for locating their business in the borough.

The Cumbrian-based manufacturer is a Queen’s Award for Enterprise winner and was previously named one of Europe’s 1000 fastest-growing companies for its baby milk formula manufacturing business.

“The purchase of this site shows our continued commitment to domestic manufacturing and supporting the world class British dairy industry," said Chief Executive Officer, Ross McMahon, MBE.

"Like the Kendal site which we took ownership of in 2015, the Stafford site has a rich history and experience in Food and Drink production. It would have been a great shame to lose this site from the Staffordshire area and rural community. 

"The facility will focus on dietary and nutritional products as well as supporting the growth of our wider group activities. We look forward to seeing this site return to its former glory in the coming 24 months.”