British Sugar

The overview

British Sugar is the only UK-based producer of sugar from sugar beet, with some 2000 lorry loads of beet being taken into its factories each day. It operates under the banner of its parent group, Associated British Foods plc. As such, it has ties to other companies within that group, such as AB Agri and Silver Spoon.

Expanding beyond sugar

Its main business, naturally, is in the production and sale of sugar and sugar-products, but the company has expanded its portfolio in recent years to include such things as topsoil, tomatoes, animal feed and even electricity - excess electricity generated for its factories is actually sold off to energy suppliers. These additional business lines have helped to compensate for the rising prices of sugar and sugar production following an overhaul of the EU sugar market in 2005-6.

Focus on renewables

A particular coup for the company is efforts in the biofuel market, which resulted in British Sugar becoming the first company to manufacture bioethanol fuel.

To enhance this focus on renewables even further, the company recently signed an agreement with Air Liquide to set new carbon dioxide recovery and liquefaction plant at the Wissingdon site. The company has also seen a 30% reduction in its use of nitrogen fertiliser since 1980.

Salary and benefits

Agriculture, business and procurement, and finance: £25,000.

Science: £27,500.

Engineering: £30,000.

Salaries are reviewed every six months.

Perks

• £1,500 joining bonus
• 21 days holiday, rising to 26 after a year with the company
• Contributory pension scheme
• Professional qualifications sponsorship
• Assistance with any relocation the new employee needs for their job