Flumps and Black Jack maker basks in the smell of sweet success

The maker of Black Jacks, Refreshers and Flumps shrugged off rising ingredient costs last year to boost sales, results showed.

Tangerine Confectionery, which also makes retro sweets such as Dip Dabs and Wham bars, raised turnover by 5% to £114 million despite weaker sterling and public concern over sugary treats.

Underlying earnings rose 11% to £9.8 million, which the Blackpool-based firm described as a “creditable” performance.

These numbers exclude Butterkist popcorn which was sold to KP in July 2017.

The business has 1180 staff in Blackpool, Pontefract, York, Cleckheaton and Liverpool.

Tangerine was formed in 2005 through a management buyout of the UK arm of Danish sweet-maker Toms.

It bought divisions from Burton’s Foods and Cadbury’s and was bought last month for more than £100 million from its private equity owner Blackstone by Valeo.

To meet Public Health England’s sugar reduction targets, Tangerine also promised to promote a socially responsible agenda.