Historic sweet company wins contract with the Co-op

HISTORIC family firm Maxons has secured a contract to supply Co-operative stores as part of a local sourcing initiative by the retailer.

The initiative is being piloted in Yorkshire, and Maxons, which dates its history back to the 1880s, will be supplying 70 stores in South Yorkshire.

“This is fantastic news for Maxons, the products are being well received and the hope is that the contract will be extended to cover Co-op stores throughout the country,” said managing director Richard Pitchfork. “As well as supplying small corner sweet shops and wholesalers, we have regional contracts with Asda and Tesco and supply other major retailers such as Netto and QD Stores.”

The company has seen extensive growth over the last eight years with turnover increasing by over 20%. It now produces 1.8 tonnes of sweets every day.
The firm turns over £1.1m and employs 20 staff.

Maxons began as Dixons in the 1880s. In the 1950s the firm had merged with the wholesale business founded by Ralph Pitchfork, the grandfather of current directors Richard and Chris.

The pair have worked with business advisor Peter Edwards and his team at Grant Thornton to restructure the business as well as develop packaging and focus on their core products.

Mr Pitchfork said: “Having stripped out unnecessary costs within the business, we have been able to focus on our strengths and drill down into the products and specialities which set us apart from our larger, more mechanised competitors.”

“We’ve gone back to our roots and focussed on our unique position as an old fashioned sweets specialist, playing on the nostalgia of perennial favourites such as pear drops, mint humbugs and sherbet pots.

“Significant investment in new packaging was a real turning point for us and highlights the quality of our products.”

Peter Edwards, director at Grant Thornton’s Sheffield office, said: “As one of the few remaining traditional sweet manufacturers in the north of England, it’s great to see Maxons focussing on its strengths and securing wider distribution for its heritage products.

“There’s no doubt that Richard and Chris have brought new energy and vision to the business as well as sheer hard work – to have secured a series of contracts with some of the UK’s largest retailers is an impressive achievement.”