The UK’s 2 Sisters Food Group said today (25 May) it is investing GBP250,000 (US$324,000) to expand production at its Matthew Walker Christmas pudding business in Heanor, Derbyshire.

A 2 Sisters spokesperson told just-food the investment would also see the creation of 45 seasonal jobs at the plant in addition to the existing 120 permanent staff. The spokesperson declined to give details of the expansion programme.

2 Sisters MD Keith Packer said Matthew Walker had seen “strong year-on-year growth in seasonal puddings”. He said the investment “will provide us with a launchpad to drive further sales and build on the wealth of knowledge and experience that already resides on the site”.

2 Sisters’ parent company Boparan Holdings took control of Matthew Walker in 2011 through its acquisition of Northern Foods.

Earlier this year, Boparan Holdings reported a second-quarter loss despite growing sales, with the group, which also owns Goodfella’s pizza and Fox’s biscuits, pointing to rising costs after the Brexit-sparked decline in sterling.

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