Premier Foods is set to strategically enhance its operations by transferring the production of Loyd Grossman sauces from a third-party supplier to in-house manufacturing by early 2028. This initiative follows the recent extension of its licensing agreement for the brand, which will remain in effect until 2034.
With an investment of £36 million, this commitment marks Premier Foods’ most significant investment in over 15 years. It aims to significantly boost production capacity and enhance operational efficiency at the Worksop facility, which currently houses renowned brands such as Sharwood’s, Homepride, Batchelors, Bisto, Saxa, and Oxo.
The phased investment through 2029 will include the installation of a new high-speed manufacturing line, set to more than double the annual production capacity of the group’s cooking sauces. This enhancement supports opportunities for future growth and fosters a refined approach to innovation.
Additionally, the investment will upgrade and expand site storage facilities, while a new link road will be constructed to improve logistics flow around the facility.
Since the inception of their partnership in 1995, the licensing agreement with Sir Loyd Grossman will be renewed until 2034, with an option for a five-year extension. This reflects the brand’s robust growth, averaging 4.7% annually over the last five years.
New product launches, including the Loyd Grossman Pizza Range and a healthier no-added sugar line, have driven this growth. Recent introductions of premium sauces aim to elevate at-home dining experiences, celebrating 30 years of partnership.
Alex Whitehouse, CEO of Premier Foods, stated: “A key pillar of our growth strategy is investing in our supply chain to increase productivity and efficiency. Representing our largest site investment in over 15 years, today’s announcement is a great example of this strategy in action. It will enable us to more than double our annual cooking sauces production capacity, supporting growth opportunities and providing enhanced capabilities for innovation across our cooking sauces’ brands, while improving the site for our colleagues.”
“Renewing our partnership with Sir Loyd Grossman reinforces our belief in the future of this brand and our ability to continue to drive growth through the application of our Branded Growth Model. At the heart of it all is our commitment to UK manufacturing and to the Worksop community, where we’re proud to be investing for the long term.”
Sir Loyd Grossman added: “I am thrilled to be extending our long-standing partnership with Premier Foods, whose commitment to quality and innovation has been central to the success of the Loyd Grossman brand. We share a passion for creating great-tasting products made with the very best ingredients. This renewed agreement reflects our shared ambition to keep innovating and to bring our sauces to even more customers across the UK.”
Premier Foods emphasized that this investment will not only reinforce the site’s long-term viability but also enhance workplace conditions for approximately 500 staff members.
This announcement comes on the heels of a £19 million investment in Premier Foods’ Lifton Creamery in Devon, known for Ambrosia custard. The investment aims to elevate production capacity in response to increasing consumer demand for porridge pots, further enhancing efficiency while supporting local employment.
