The UK’s leading sweets manufacturer is doubling down on its commitment to the region, as HARIBO UK officially opens the doors to a massive new purpose-built warehouse facility in West Yorkshire.
Representing a significant £35 million investment, the state-of-the-art expansion includes the new warehouse facility alongside an additional production and packaging line at HARIBO’s major manufacturing site in Castleford. The move is set to drastically strengthen the future of manufacturing in Yorkshire while helping the brand, which operates its UK headquarters just down the road in Pontefract, bring even more of its iconic, much-loved treats to fans across the country.
Delivered in partnership with Wakefield-headquartered Caddick Construction and built using a strictly local supply chain, the tech-forward warehouse will allow HARIBO to seamlessly manage future product volumes, store additional raw materials, and further modernise its entire Castleford operation with state-of-the-art technology.
The cutting-edge facilities will support operations at both its Castleford site and its Pontefract headquarters, where the business proudly employs more than 700 local people across the region.
HARIBO has called Yorkshire home for over 50 years, and the massive investment comes off the back of another stellar year of performance. The brand has firmly maintained its position as the UK’s top sweets manufacturer, commanding a whopping 22.6% of the market share, with four of the top ten bestselling confectionery products in the country belonging to HARIBO or MAOAM lines.
Beyond manufacturing, the confectionery giant continues to pour support back into local communities. HARIBO recently celebrated its 18-year partnership with Martin House Children’s Hospice at the opening of ‘THE BUILD’. Running a major campaign across 2024 and 2025, HARIBO helped the hospice smash its £2m fundraising target to create a purpose-built space with new and improved facilities for the children and young adults relying on its services.
The brand has also confirmed it will return as the headline sponsor for the popular Pontefract Liquorice Festival on 12th July 2026, welcoming thousands of visitors to celebrate the region’s historic sweet-making heritage.
Phil Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer at HARIBO UK & Ireland, said: “We’ve been part of West Yorkshire for more than 50 years and we’re very proud to call it home. The region plays a hugely important role in HARIBO’s success across the UK, from the products we make here through to the people, skills and manufacturing expertise that support our operations every day. Being the UK’s leading sweets manufacturer is something we are incredibly proud of, and this investment reflects the important role West Yorkshire continues to play in that success.”
Yvette Cooper, MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, who was on hand to officially cut the ribbon, added: “It was great to cut the ribbon at the opening of the new warehouse at HARIBO’s Castleford site. I’m really pleased that the new warehouse will allow them to expand and continue to support 700 jobs across our area. HARIBO are a brilliant manufacturer who have been at the heart of our towns for decades, carrying on our sweet-making tradition.”
Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director at Caddick Construction North East & Yorkshire, commented: “It has been a privilege to work with HARIBO on this impressive expansion project, which has been especially significant with HARIBO making such a huge contribution to employment locally to our Wakefield Head Office. Together with our local supply chain partners, our team worked hard to deliver the new warehouse to a world-class standard to support HARIBO’s high-calibre production.”
