Manufacturer taps into protein snack 'explosion' with multi-million pound investment

The new facility in Lancashire, UK, has the capacity to make in excess of 100m bars and bites a year and marks the company's move into the fast-growing healthy snack market.

Family-owned Nutrition Group, which celebrates its 25th anniversary later this year, says its ambitious expansion plan is set to create a number of new jobs in roles ranging from technical, management, production, and warehousing.

After already gaining a number of contracts with high street retailers and leading global brands to produce protein based bars and snacks, chief executive Richard Greathead said this investment is opening up extensive opportunities.

“This is a significant investment in the future of our business and we’re very excited by the extensive opportunities it opens up for us as we mark a quarter of a century of success in our sector.​

“The market has seen an explosion in nutrition bars and snacks across the wellness and sports nutrition sectors. On-the-go snacking is a growing phenomenon, as consumers seek out convenient product formats to satisfy their health demands.​

“They want higher quality and innovative ideas. Protein bars are becoming the choice of snack now over confectionery, as consumers seek out healthier alternatives to traditional high sugar and high fat confectionery options.​

“We have developed a streamlined approach to developing new products which means our customers can bring new ideas to the market quickly and easily.”​

He adds that the key to success within the protein snack space, is 'true quality and innovation'.

Global creations​

Nutrition Group is a global supplier to the health and nutrition market. From its high-tech factory, near the M55 in Blackpool, the business and its 120 strong workforce service the best known brands in the industry.

It specialises in product formulation, tablet and capsule manufacturing, along with liquid filling. The Nutrition Group operation currently produces two billion tablets and 500 million capsules a year.