ONE of Kendal's largest employers says it is confident jobs are secure after it was sold for an undisclosed amount this week.

Heinz, which employs 92 people, has reached an agreement in principle for the sale of its infant formula and cereals manufacturing site on Mint Bridge Road to Kendal Nutricare Ltd.

"Consultation with representatives of employees based at the Kendal site about the proposals will start shorty and all factory staff are expected to transfer to Kendal Nutricare as part of the new ownership," said Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs at Heinz.

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The proposed deal is subject to contract and will end Heinz's 21 year association with Kendal.

According to Mr Dickie, Kendal Nutricare is a newly-formed English pharmaceutical research business with specialist expertise in infant formula and dairy processing, raw material suppliers’ network accreditation standards, and international sales.

Nobody from the Unite union or Kendal Nutricare was available for comment when the Gazette went to press.