Member Article

400 jobs on the horizon as Quorn invests in North East

Food manufacturer Quorn Foods, the main trading arm of Stokesley-headquartered Marlow Foods Ltd, says it will invest £30 million in a new fermenter at its Billingham site, creating 400 jobs in the business.

The investment is expected to raise production by 50% and will create 100 jobs in the construction process, and a further 300 across other functions.

Quorn, which employs around 600 people at its Stokesley base specialises in vegetarian products made from plant protein.

It follows a major £15 million marketing push by the firm, which saw runner Mo Farah come on board as a celebrity endorsement.

Market researcher Neilsen ranks Quorn as Britain’s 35th biggest brand – overtaking family favourites such as Heinz tomato ketchup, Doritos and Innocent.

Kevin Brennan, chief executive of Quorn Foods, said: “While Quorn is now well established as a global brand, with our products sold in an ever growing number of countries, we’re proud to say that the nucleus of our operations remains in Yorkshire and the North East.

“As people are rethinking their meat eating habits and realising that 500 meals a year with meat is too much for our health and the planet, demand for our products has soared and we’re now in a position where we need to expand our production facilities.

“Not only will this additional fermenter boost production by up to 50%, but it will also create approximately 400 jobs, boosting the local economy at a time when it is most needed.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .