News: Mexican multinational invests in UK production creating 100 jobs in Rotherham

A viral TikTok snack is being made in Rotherham with a multinational firm expanding into an empty warehouse alongside its existing facility in the north of the borough.

A local recruitment firm says that the move is creating over 100 jobs across various roles.

Takis, the cult snacking brand known for its extreme heat and intense flavours, has had its rolled tortilla chips inspired by taquitos available in the UK for four years and work started in 2024 on a new production line at Swinton Meadows in Rotherham.

The industrial estate is the location of the New York Bakery Co production facility, one of the largest bagel production factories in the world. The bagel factory's owners, Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, itself recognised as the largest baking company in the world, took over the warehouse next door that was vacated when motorhome manufacturer, Autocruise, ceased production here.

The use of the 59,000 sq ft building has been under wraps but now a planning application shows that it is for the production of Takis snacks.

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Plans, drawn up by consultants at [PS]K Design, state: "The Proposed Development is a fundamental part of Grupo Bimbo business strategy in the UK.

"In recent history the site has been owned by Grupo Bimbo with the aim of creating a new production line for their "Takis" crisps in the UK.

"The proposed works are necessary to adapt the existing building and bring it back into use. The design and appearance of the proposed development is appropriate to the industrial setting and will not be prominent in views from outside of the site. The proposed development will create new jobs both while the proposed works are carried out and afterwards."

The plans include a new goods in/out dock, new external plant and exhaust flues, an extension to east side of the main building to store ready to use pallets and an extension to the south side of the main building to house new plant. The installation of two oil tanks, including the construction of a bund wall to contain any spillage, is also in the plans.

The application also shows that work started in September 2024 and was completed in March 2025. The new production line involves taking the crisp from flour to cooking, to seasoning, to boxing.

Rotherham-based Elevation Recruitment is supporting the project and its recent job advert for a Maintenance Engineer says: "Elevation Recruitment Group is thrilled to partner with Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest baking company, in launching their brand-new, state-of-the-art Takis factory in Rotherham.

"Grupo Bimbo operates in over 33 countries and is bringing the production of their globally renowned snack, Takis, to the UK for the first time! This new facility represents a significant investment in the UK market and will create over 100 jobs across various roles.

"The launch of this facility in Rotherham is an exciting milestone, making Takis more accessible to UK consumers."

Takis was launched by Barcel Snacks, another Grupo Bimbo company. Takis has earned a cult following among snack enthusiasts around the globe. Originating in Mexico, these fiery snacks include flavours such as Fuego, Dragon Sweet Chilli and Blue Heat. Products are available in covenience stores and the likes of Aldi, Morrisons and Co-op.

Takis website

Images: Takis / Facebook / Google Maps

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News: Rothbiz gains an ally - the Prime Minister

If you can get past the headline-grabbing heckling, the fudged answers to press questions, the less than enthusiastic audience reaction and the "light-hearted remark" from the host, you'll find that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom stood up and promoted positive stories about Rotherham businesses.

Boris Johnson used a high profile event in Rotherham to renew a drive to give more power to Northern regions.

At The Convention of the North held at Magna, the PM said: "[It is] only right that we are meeting here on the banks of the Don, literally the crucible in which the history of the nation was forged - and indeed of the modern world.

"When Nelson defeated the French at Trafalgar and set this country on course for about 100 years of imperial expansion, the cannons on HMS Victory were forged here at Walker and Company.

"It was Rotherham pipes that brought fresh drinking water to Hong Kong, Rotherham steel that clad Brunel’s Great Eastern and formed the skeletons of New York skyscrapers and did you know that every fire hydrant in New York was cast in British steel less than two miles from here at the works of Guest and Chrimes.

"That was before it occurred to anyone to put tariffs on British steel.

"This place where we meet was so central to our national life that it was bombed in both the first and second world wars.

"And so it was entirely fitting that 50 years ago the works here at Templeborough adopted as its logo the phoenix – perpetually rising from the ashes.

"And across this region you can feel that phoenix-like transformation as the Northern Powerhouse – which Jake just spoke so eloquently - thrums into life with a low-carbon, fuel efficient roar.

"Look at Catcliffe.

"Where a factory that once made superb glass is now being used by McLaren to turn super-light, super-strong Yorkshire carbon fibre into the fastest production cars on earth.

"Right next door, at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Xeros Technology are producing the world's most environmentally friendly washing machine - that's the spin and I bet it's true.

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"Boeing chose Sheffield as its first civil aerospace factory in Europe – with nearly half its employees taken on as apprentices.

"And did anybody have a bagel this morning? Did you? No?

"Well if you did, it was probably made just up the road in Mexborough, where, in the largest bagel factory in Europe produces fully three-quarters of the bagels eaten in Britain every day.

"Sheffield is the home of the UK's largest provider of hybrid and electric vehicle drive systems, a company called Magtec.

"A world-first initiative, Magtec is retrofitting Sheffield's refuse lorries with battery-power, with enough juice to negotiate the seven hills and recharge themselves with energy they generate from the very rubbish they collect.

"Rubbish powered rubbish vans – there's a joke there somewhere which I will leave to you.

"I tell you, there is no limit to the imagination, innovation, ingenuity and leadership in the North."

The Prime Minister also said that the Government are committed to getting the Sheffield City Region devolution deal done and set out his intention to allow Northern communities to take more control over their rail services.

He added: "In this birthplace of the railways, we can do so much better. Today – coming from London on the train, it took me just over an hour and a half to get to Doncaster. But if, for example, you travelled from Liverpool to Rotherham – less than half the distance – you might have had to leave an hour earlier than me, and change as many as three times."

Images: NP11 / pscp.tv

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