Symington’s to shift noodle production to UK

British food company Symington’s is shifting its noodle production from China to Yorkshire, UK, a move which is expected to create 50 new jobs.

The company noted that factors such as increasing labour costs in China and the inconvenience of shipping the noodles back to the UK are behind its decision to shift production.

The decision was also influenced by a need for quicker response times, such as when a retailer asks for more stock and cannot wait for the container ship to arrive.

It takes about eight to ten weeks to source noodles from China, according to the company.

Symington’s business development manager Henrik Pade said that it is now possible to produce noodles for roughly the same cost in Yorkshire as in China.

In the past, it would probably have been 30% to 35% less in China, Pade added.

The company has cancelled contracts with two Chinese facilities, one in Guangzhou province and one in Hangzhou.

The company will be shifting production to a new £15m facility in Hunslet, Yorkshire, which is scheduled to open in August.

The 70,000ft² factory is expected to create 50 new jobs and boost the local economy.

Symington’s, based in Leeds, UK, offers products such as The Nation’s Noodles, Normous Noodles, and Naked Noodles under the Golden Wonder brand.