Suttons could reap rewards of British Sugar expansion
Page 14

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
By Chris Tindall
PLANS TO CREATE an allyear-round-working British Sugar factory in Norfolk could benefit Suttons Group, the firm that handles its bulk distribution contract. The leading UK sugar supplier wants to expand operations at its Cantley site by importing raw sugar through east coast ports in order to turn a seasonal process into a 365-day business.
British Sugar confirms it will rely on its road haulage distributor to handle the increase in transport from port to factory and then out to UK destinations.
However, it could be 2011 before the £35m expansion starts — the same year that Suttons' contract with British Sugar ends (Turners loses sugar contract to Suttons', CM 14 August 2008).
A spokesman for the sugar company says that it obtained planning permission in order to inform its feasibility study into the idea, adding that a final decision has still not been made. He continues: "From a road haulage perspective, we would move the raw sugar by road from the port. We would use tankers to bring in raw sugar. Clearly, we would hope to be supplying more customers Until the feasibility study is complete, the details of the project wouldn't be finalised."
Regarding a potential rise in business or the number of deliveries out of Cantley. Suttons managing director Andrew Palmer says: "I can't make a comment, other than when our customers are successful, we're always pleased."