KP Snacks has announced plans to close its Tyrrells factory in Uttoxeter as part of its decision to exit the vegetable crisps market.
The company reported a sustained decline in demand for the Tyrrells vegetable crisp range, including the loss of significant export orders. As a result, the Uttoxeter site in Staffordshire, England, is expected to shut down.
While KP Snacks has not confirmed the exact number of employees who will be affected, it stated that it aims to minimise job losses by providing redeployment opportunities where possible.
This decision comes in light of the ongoing decline in vegetable crisp sales, reduced international demand, and a strategic refocusing of the company’s product lines. Analysts suggest that the decline is indicative of broader changes in consumer behaviour, including increased price sensitivity due to cost-of-living pressures, competition within the premium snack category, and changing export conditions following global trade disruptions.
Once a fast-growing niche market, the vegetable crisp segment has struggled to maintain momentum in recent years. KP Snacks plans to concentrate its investment on other core brands and product ranges within its portfolio. The company added that consultations with employees and local stakeholders will begin shortly.
KP Snacks said the plans to stop the production of the crisps follow “a sustained decline in demand and the loss of key export volumes”.
They added, “As a result, we are proposing to close the Uttoxeter site where these products are manufactured.
“While no final decisions have been made, we appreciate this is an uncertain time for our colleagues at Uttoxeter and we are supporting them throughout the consultation process.
“Should the proposal progress, we will explore any ways to reduce or avoid redundancies where possible.”
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