PRODUCTION of another famous chocolate bar was coming to an end in York today, sources have claimed.

Drifter is the latest brand to stop rolling off Nestlé Rowntree's production lines as part of a massive restructuring of the factory.

But unlike some other products such as Black Magic, it is not transferring to a factory abroad but moving instead to the company's factory at Castleford. However, it is understood that the wafer will still be made in York.

Employees told The Press that today was the last day of Drifter manufacturing in York, but the company declined to make any comment.

York production of Black Magic and Dairy Box ended earlier this month, after they had been made in the city for more than 70 years.

Black Magic is transferring to a Nestlé factory at Zora, in the Czech Republic, with Dairy Box going to a plant in La Penilla, Spain.

These are the first household names to fall victim to the re-structuring announced by Nestlé Rowntree last September, which is also set to result in the loss of a total of 645 jobs, new terms and conditions for remaining staff, the sell-off of part of the factory site to developers and a major modernisation of the rest of the site. Other brands due to leave the site later include Smarties, which is going to a factory in Hamburg, Germany - towards the end of the year, according to workers.

Matchmakers will also transfer to Fawdon, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Several key products, including KitKat, Aero and Polo, will still remain in York, following the restructuring.

Bosses say all the changes are aimed at making Nestlé Rowntree competitive and efficient in a highly competitive confectionery market, giving the York factory a long-term future.

12:24pm Friday 25th May 2007

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