Thornton & Ross creates 40 jobs as pandemic boosts demand for disinfectant brand

The Yorkshire-based pharmaceutical manufacturer, Thornton & Ross (T&R) has officially unveiled its new multi-million-pound, high-speed production line which will increase capacity for the disinfectant brand, Zoflora.
Roger Scarlett-SmithRoger Scarlett-Smith
Roger Scarlett-Smith

It is the first major investment from its parent company STADA and is the first facility to launch as part of Thornton & Ross’ Centre of Excellence.

A spokesman said: "With the existing facility producing 60 million bottles of Zoflora each year, the new technologically advanced 600 sq m bottling and filling line has increased output by 100 per cent to 18,000 bottles an hour, which will enable the opening of new distribution outlets."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Vice President of UK Operations at Thornton & Ross, Mark Kirkup said “The new high-tech line means T&R is now in a privileged position to satisfy the considerable increase in demand for Zoflora, which has been driven further by Covid-19 in recent months.

"It simply would not have been possible to cater to this increased demand prior the substantial investment from STADA. Getting the facility up and running so quickly was crucial, and made possible by our build partners, Haden Freeman and Hawkins Construction.”

“At a time when other companies may look to rein in investment in innovation and new product development, T&R is pushing ahead to be a leading partner-of-choice for those looking to license new ideas, technologies and products across the over-the-counter, CHC and generics sectors, as well as packaging and other features that bring clear benefits to consumers.”

Roger Scarlett-Smith, Executive Vice President of Thornton & Ross, said “STADA’s largest UK investment to date demonstrates its commitment to the Huddersfield site being a Centre of Excellence. As T&R’s 100th year in business approaches, we’re building on that long heritage and combining it with new ideas to refresh well-established brands such as Covonia, as well as to create market-leading franchises like Hedrin through patented technologies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The launch of the new Zoflora line forms an integral part of T&R’s plans to expand, including the creation of 40 new permanent positions across the company. Our ultimate ambition, in line with the global STADA group, is to outpace the consumer healthcare industry in terms of both turnover and profitability.”

Thornton & Ross was due to hold an event to launch the new state-of-the-art production facility to local stakeholders and key industry players. Due to Covid-19, this has now been replaced with a digital only launch, including a series of videos which tell the story of the investment, the build and the inspiration and innovation of the Zoflora brand.

Thornton & Ross’ Head of Home Hygiene, Sarah Fozzard said: “Innovation comes not only in the traditional forms of product formulation and packaging, but also in terms of consumer insights and communications, so we work closely with our many brand advocates as well as non-users to develop new ideas."

Thornton & Ross is one of the largest companies in Huddersfield, employing more than 500 people across 27 departments including manufacturing, packing, order processing, quality control and maintenance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.