Maryland cookies and Wagon Wheels maker Burton’s Foods has been stockpiling ingredients ahead of Brexit and has seen sales rise, new accounts show.
Burton’s, which also makes goods such as Jammie Dodgers in the UK, gave its Brexit planning update alongside reporting a 1.2% sales rise to £235.2 million for 2018.
Pre-tax losses were narrowed to £10.8 million from a £15 million loss.
The manufacturer said it has been building up inventory of “raw materials”. It joins numerous consumer businesses in preparing for the possibility of border delays affecting import times if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.
It has also been looking to talk with recruitment agencies about finding staff for its bakeries, if the company loses European workers.
In the current financial year Burton’s Foods, which was sold to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in 2013 in a £350 million deal, has been investing to win and retain customers.
It launched Maryland sugar-free cookies in January and a month later bought upmarket biscuit maker Thomas Fudge’s.
