A COMPANY making boiled sweets has more than doubled its output while reducing energy costs following investment in new equipment.

Elland-based Joseph Dobson, formed in 1850, has installed two new air compressors from specialist supplier Thorite, which has a depot at Barge Street in Huddersfield.

Joseph Dobson, originator of the famous “Yorkshire Mixtures” of boiled confectionery, has extended its factory following increased demand for its entire range of products.

One of the new compressors is used to provide forced air for packing traditional hard boiled sweets into polypropylene bags while the second powers another packing line in the new factory extension, handling newly-designed products for the pharmaceutical industry.

Both compressors have enabled Joseph Dobson to increase capacity four-fold while reducing man hours by half. This increased efficiency has greatly reduced production problems, allowing customer orders to be fulfilled in record time. Potential energy savings are expected to provide a boost to profitability.