MASSIVELY expanding Food Design Ltd, the Harrogate-based producer of fudge and toffee ingredients for the food industry, has appointed Andy Cummings as factory manager.

He arrives as the company is refocusing other key members of its staff team to build on a 48 per cent growth experienced in 2003.

Mr Cummings previously worked as a manager with the Betty's & Taylor group for six years, and prior to that for Terry's Suchard in York.

Other staff changes see Charlotte Riley heading up a new department of research and development and process development, and a strengthening of the support team, with Linda Scarry taking on the role of administration manager and Deborah Shute as the new sales administrator.

The company says it has made these moves to broaden its service to customers by allowing office hours to be extended. Mr Cummings will have overall responsibility for production and personnel within the factory on the Hornbeam Industrial Estate.

Food Design's managing director, Colin Hunter, said: "We have made these moves within the company to support the dramatic growth we have experienced over the past 12 months, and to fulfil our plans to build on this success.

"We estimate that a further £100,000 of capital expenditure will be made over the next year to further increase capacity and to continue developing new products and processes."

Updated: 09:55 Tuesday, February 03, 2004