Fox's manufacturer closes factory after 140 years: 190 jobs at risk.

Closure of factories in Pontefract

According to The Sun: The well-known company that produces sweets under the brands Fox's, Rowse, and Poppet's intends to close its 140-year-old factory.

If this decision is approved, 190 employees may lose their jobs.

Valeo's factory in Pontefract is set to close The firm produces popular Fox's biscuitsProvided

Reasons for closure

The Valeo Foods group announced the gradual closure of its factory in Pontefract over the next 12 months.

Founded in 1884, the factory is one of the last producers of licorice in the city. A variety of confectionery products such as licorice candies, jelly beans, chewing gums, and jelly are made here.

Valeo indicates that the closure of the factory is due to 'a combination of factors.'

The CEO of Valeo Foods, Ronald Kers, said: “This proposed closure is a difficult but necessary step as we continue to reshape our manufacturing footprint to ensure competitiveness and growth in the long term.”

He also stated that the company will begin a formal consultation process with everyone affected by this decision.

Former and current factory workers are actively expressing their outrage on social media, emphasizing that they, in the words of one of them, are 'one big family,' reports Yorkshire Post.

One employee noted that they were not surprised by the closure due to a lack of production, pointing to 'broken machinery' as one of the main reasons.

They said: “You don’t need to be an economist to guess that a factory that is not producing will not survive. And it cannot produce when practically every line is not functioning properly due to broken equipment and other factors beyond the workers' control.”

Poppet candies are also produced by Valeo Valeo Foods has faced difficulties in its production activities before. Its decision to close the factory in Pontefract puts the jobs of many people who have worked there for many years at risk. The closure of the historic factory will also mark the end of an era for the local community. Despite the challenges, the company continues to seek ways to adapt to changing market conditions.