Tangerine in sweet deal Down Under

BRITAIN’S largest independent manufacturer of sweets hopes to double the scale of its exports after winning a new contract in Australia.

Blackpool-based Tangerine Confectionery has clinched a deal to supply three million Sherbet Fountains and 70,000 cases of Taveners ‘Proper Sweets’ which it manufactures in Liverpool.

The company – which also has plants in York, Pontefract and Cleckheaton – has signed a distribution deal with Australian Bulk Foods to supply the brands to leading Australian supermarkets.

The precise value of the contract has not been revealed.

Tangerine Confectionery had a turnover of £160m to the end of March 2009, with its export division accounting for 5% of this.

Sherbet Fountains and Taveners Proper Sweets will now be sold across Australia in national retail chains Coles, Target and Big W department stores and Independent Grocers Alliance shops.

Executive chairman Steven Joseph said: “The export potential of brands like the Sherbet Fountain and Taveners is huge, especially in what you might call former colonial markets such as Australia, South Africa, Canada and Hong Kong.

“The pound’s weakness against other currencies presents an export opportunity and we plan to double our exports in the next three to five years.

“Britain is a world-leader in sugar confectionery and we believe the quality of our brands combined with our British heritage will enable us to achieve significant overseas sales. The Sherbet Fountain contract is just a start.”

The export success follows the high-profile re-launch of the Sherbet Fountain last year with the product now made with all natural colours and flavours and a new re-sealable plastic tube. As a result of the relaunch sales volumes have increased by 20% in the UK.

Geoff Sharp of Australian Bulk Foods said: “Like the UK, we are seeing a revival of iconic English confectionery in Australia. The Sherbet Fountain is one of the most memorable and long established confectionery brands and is ideally placed to capitalise on the wave of nostalgia.”

“Many British ex-pats are helping drive sales as they remember the Sherbet Fountain as a childhood favourite. They are introducing their children and grandchildren to the brand and they in turn are becoming new fans of the product.”

Tangerine Confectionery owns such brands as Butterkist, Barratt and Anton Berg as well as Taveners, which are manufactured at its Edge Lane Factory, in Liverpool.