Up to 60 jobs are to be created at the Golden Wonder crisp factory in Northamptonshire in a move set to bring its workforce in the region to more than 550 people.
Parent company Tayto Group confirmed it is to build a dedicated hand-friend production line at its Corby facility which will result in the manufacturing of two million extra crisp packets a week.
Tayto, which bought Golden Wonder in 2006 after the crisp company had gone into administration, said the investment meant it might also expand to make vegetable crisps.
CEO Paul Allen said Tayto, which also owns the Real and Mr Porky brands, is investing heavily in upgrading machinery and increasing efficiency across its UK sites.
“We have begun recruiting for 60 to 65 operators who will work on this line, which is a new technology for the factory,” he said.
“We have also recently upgraded other equipment across the Corby site, with 14 new, cutting-edge, packing machines now operational.
“This new machinery increased the plant’s packing capabilities substantially, from 100 to 160 bags per minute.”
Corby MP Andy Sawford said he was working to ensure employees from the town’s recently closed Solway Foods plant, which saw 900 people lost their jobs in March, would be considered for jobs.
Labour MP Mr Sawford said: “Corby is the manufacturing capital of the UK and Tayto’s decision to expand its operations and begin production of a new line of crisp shows confidence in the skills and motivation of local workers.”
