HARIBO UK has officially opened a new £35 million warehouse and manufacturing expansion at its Castleford site in West Yorkshire, reinforcing its long-term commitment to UK confectionery production and strengthening capacity to meet growing consumer demand.
The investment includes a purpose-built automated warehouse alongside a new production and packaging line, increasing manufacturing capability while enhancing supply chain efficiency across HARIBO’s UK operations.
Expanding Manufacturing Capacity in Yorkshire
The new facility will enable HARIBO to manage higher production volumes, increase storage capacity for raw materials and packaging, and further modernise operations using advanced warehouse technologies.
Supporting both the Castleford and Pontefract manufacturing sites, where the company employs more than 700 people, the expansion reflects HARIBO’s continued investment in UK food manufacturing after more than five decades in Yorkshire.
The project was delivered in partnership with Yorkshire-based Caddick Construction using a predominantly local supply chain, further supporting regional manufacturing and construction businesses.
Phil Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer at HARIBO UK & Ireland, said:
“We’ve been part of West Yorkshire for more than 50 years and we’re very proud to call it home. The region plays a hugely important role in HARIBO’s success across the UK, from the products we make here through to the people, skills and manufacturing expertise that support our operations every day.
Being the UK’s leading sweets manufacturer is something we are incredibly proud of, and this investment reflects the important role West Yorkshire continues to play in that success.”
Building a More Resilient Confectionery Supply Chain
The expansion comes as HARIBO continues to strengthen its manufacturing footprint following another successful year in the UK confectionery market, with four of the UK’s ten best-selling sweets now carrying the HARIBO or MAOAM brands.
The additional warehouse capacity is designed to improve inventory management, support future production growth and provide greater operational flexibility as manufacturers continue to navigate evolving consumer demand and supply chain pressures.
Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director at Caddick Construction North East & Yorkshire, said the project delivers infrastructure that will support HARIBO’s long-term production ambitions while contributing to Yorkshire’s advanced manufacturing sector.
“It has been a privilege to work with HARIBO on this impressive expansion project, which has been especially significant with HARIBO making such a huge contribution to employment locally to our Wakefield Head Office.
Together with our local supply chain partners, our team worked hard to deliver the new warehouse to a world-class standard to support HARIBO’s high-calibre production. We’re proud to have played our part in this project, creating a facility that will have a lasting impact on Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector and the wider community.”
Investing Beyond the Factory Gate
Alongside manufacturing investment, HARIBO continues to strengthen its presence within the local community. The business recently helped Martin House Children’s Hospice reach its £2 million fundraising target for a new purpose-built care facility and will return as headline sponsor of the Pontefract Liquorice Festival, celebrating the region’s confectionery heritage.
MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Yvette Cooper said the expansion demonstrates continued confidence in manufacturing across West Yorkshire.
“It was great to cut the ribbon at the opening of the new warehouse at HARIBO’s Castleford site.
I’m really pleased that the new warehouse will allow them to expand and continue to support 700 jobs across our area. HARIBO are a brilliant manufacturer who have been at the heart of our towns for decades, carrying on our sweet making tradition.”
This article was produced by the editorial team at Food & Beverage Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
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