Seabrooks Crisps on factory expansion plans as profits rise

One of the city’s biggest success stories, Seabrooks Crisps has gone from producing crinkle-cut snacks at a terraced house to a huge operation at two factories. 

Eighty-five years on, the business is still based in the city at Duncombe Street, close to Girlington.

Calbee took over Seabrooks in 2018 and saw its turnover increase by 16.6 per cent and operating profit increase by 59.2 per cent, in the latest reports and accounts to December 2023.

It comes amid new investment in Seabrooks’ Bradford site - including a new production line, cooking and preparation warehouse, equipment, and storage areas.

In the planning application sent to Bradford Council last year, the company said: “In excess of £10 million capital investment has been put into the Bradford site, in order to develop capabilities and capacity in process and packing.

“However, recent surges in sales have seen increased manufacturing demand, which exceeds current capacity.”

Calbee said phase two of the Bradford expansion will now be brought forward to keep pace with growing demand.

Daniel Woodwards, group managing director for Calbee UK, said: “As we continue to invest in capacity and capability in an increasingly competitive market, we are pleased to see that our proposition clearly resonates. 

“The business performance further strengthens our position as the number one crinkle cut crisp brand and the number two crisp brand in the UK by volume.

"We have much to celebrate as we explore new snacking formats and flavours and continue to support our Masterbrand strategy for Seabrook.

“While we may not realise the full benefit of our investments until 2025, we are encouraged by confidence in our proposition and expanding portfolio of crisps and snacks.

"The response from shoppers wanting quality, branded products that deliver everyday value, continues to underpin and validate our investment plans.”

2024 will also see the company’s largest spend and TV campaign to date, the food manufacturing company revealed.

The company was founded in Bradford in 1945 by Charles Brook and his son Colin Brook – and was originally based in a one-up-one down terraced house.

It moved into the old Allerton Liberal Club in the 1950s, and in the late 1970s the company purchased its current site at Duncombe Street.

David Tickner, group finance director for Calbee UK, said: “As would be expected, we are pleased with our strong 2023 results and continued growth. We were excited to announce the £12m extension to our Bradford manufacturing facility this year, complementing investments made in Deeside last year.”