Food group serves up major expansion plans

A MAKER of seasonings, spices and sauces for major food brands and supermarkets has talked of major expansion plans for its County Durham factory site, which is set to double in size.

- BY TOM KEIGHLEY

Moguntia Food Group, which already employs 140 people at its Hetton-le-Hole factory, has acquired a neighbouring site from hauliers BM Stafford & Sons which it plans to pour investment into. The three-acre footprint will more than double the size of the firm’s existing operation in the town, and is set to create at least 80 new jobs.

Full details of the plans are yet to be decided but Moguntia has earmarked the site for expanded production having already invested significantly in its workforce and a new range of equipment at the factory including a liquid sachet line, a dip pot line and a powder blender. That follows a £1m investment in warehouse facilities on the site in 2023.

Site manufacturing director Nigel Kent told The Journal the factory volumes which is split about 80% powders and 20% sauces are about 33% up in the year-to-date, on last year. He sees the potential for substantial growth in the firm's sauce production.