Marshmallow Maker Seals Sweet Deal for Popcorn

LIVERPOOL confectionery firm Tangerine has struck a deal to buy Yorkshire-based Monkhill Confectionery for pounds 58m in cash.

Monkhill is owned by food giant Cadbury Schweppes and makes the Butterkist popcorn brand, Barratt Sherbet Fountains, Jameson’s chocolate confectionery and a range of branded boiled sweets, gums and jellies.

It has three manufacturing sites in York, Cleck-heaton and Pontefract.

Edge Lane-based Tangerine makes Princess Marshmallows, Taveners and Mojo sweets and employs 600 staff in Liverpool, Poole and Blackpool.

Tangerine chairman Stephen Joseph said: “To acquire products of such heritage is a mouth-watering prospect.”

In 2006 Tangerine bought the confectionery arm of Burton’s Foods.

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