Uttoxeter-based Elkes Biscuits is set to increase its workforce by more than 50% over the next six months following major investments and impressive sales growth.
The 115-year-old business – which manufactures a range of biscuits for retailers including own-label custard creams and chocolate malted milks, as well as premium bourbon creams – was saved from closure in early 2022 after Boparan Private Office acquired it from 2 Sisters.
Under its new ownership, the reinvigorated firm has invested £1m in new equipment, which has provided new capability in wrapping, ingredient handling, and chocolate application processes.
It has also seen sales revenue rise substantially thanks to a combination of successful customer product launches and sales of existing own-label lines increasing by more than a third over the past year. Volumes are growing week-by-week, Elkes added, meaning it is on the hunt for additional staff.
Elkes Biscuits is looking to immediately recruit 110 people for operational and managerial roles in areas including electrical engineers, technicians, packers, machine operators, skills trainers, department managers, and hygiene operatives. Available shifts include nights, weekends, continental shifts, and rotating early or late shifts.
The remaining roles will be filled following further investments early next year, Elkes said.
“We’re extremely pleased that recent investments and solid sales growth has driven the need for so many new opportunities. The current increase in own brand production alone means we need significant numbers of permanent roles,” explained site general manager Kevin Hand.
“We’re planning on relaunching the Elkes Biscuits brand next year, which will offer fantastic quality and value at a time when every penny counts for shoppers, so we’re going to be extremely busy and need to recruit as many people as we can.”
Hand added that Elkes is a “fantastic place to work” and urged the local community to consider applying for the roles.
“Many generations of families have either worked here or still work here, and it clearly means so much to so many people. We’re proud to be at the heart of the local community and be one of the town’s biggest employers. I would urge those with the right skill sets and ‘can-do’ attitudes to get in touch.”
There will also be further investment in training, apprenticeships, and career development opportunities to expand the ‘Elkes Family’ in the future, Hand noted.
No comments yet