Japanese giant launches assault on UK snack market from Leeds HQ

A JAPANESE snack company is making a £10m investment in the UK after selecting Leeds as the headquarters of its first European subsidiary.

Calbee will shortly start production of its savoury snacks from a facility in Deeside and is targeting turnover of £65m within five years, to add to the group’s £1.2bn global sales.

It has chosen Thorpe Park, Leeds, for its headquarters as it prepares to launch its products in the UK this summer.

Calbee UK’s managing director Richard Robinson said: “Calbee UK is bringing something new and exciting to the UK market. We must however acknowledge that we are not a start-up business, but a subsidiary of one of the largest snack manufactures in the world, so we know what we’re doing. We are meeting with the health and nutrition agenda, while also bringing what the consumer wants to market; snacks that taste delicious but are better for you.”

With brand launches already planned for June, recruitment is underway for its Welsh factory as well as further appointments for its Yorkshire headquarters.

Mr Robinson added: “We know that consumers like to try something different but that it must also be enjoyable. People have never been more aware of what they are eating and that goes for snacks as well as main meals. If we can encourage people to eat a snack that is better for you, then we really believe it will be better for everyone.”