Company celebrates with a pop

Corn Poppers in Wednesbury has been based in the West Midlands for 30 years.

But there is a worldwide shortage of corn, says Mick Ryan, who is national sales manager for the popcorn supplier.

"America are the biggest exporters of corn and are growing more plants to make ethanol for bio-fuel," he said.

"The pre-bagged market for popcorn is massive as people think they are getting great value for money with a 200g bag costing just 69p – compare that to crisps and chocolate.

"However, shoppers will see popcorn becoming more expensive as less corn is grown.

"But our buying capabilities have helped us to always secure corn 18 months ahead of when we need it so we can secure future production for our customers."

Corn Poppers has been based in the West Midlands for 30 years and supply more than five million bags a year to Morrisons, Tesco and the Co-op.

"We originally started out working for a company in America providing equipment for people to make and sell their own candyfloss, popcorn, nachos and hotdogs," says Mick.

"Then 14 years ago we started supplying popcorn to Morrisons supermarket in flavours such as caramel, sweet and banana.

"We use mushroom zeta-mais maize, which is great popping corn.

"Normally we are quiet after Christmas, but this year sales have gone through the roof and our products are in big demand."

Mick says one reason for this is that people are trying to eat healthier snacks.

"Fifty grams of our toffee popcorn has 208 calories and just 2.7g of fat," he says.

"Husband and wife BS and Bal Nijjar from Walsall took over as directors of the business and we now have 24 people working for us."

Mick says they get their corn from France and use 400 pounds every hour.

"The ovens are heated to 447 degrees fahrenheit and it takes the corn around one-and-a-half minutes to pop," he says.

Only around 95 per cent of the corn pops.

"There are a few secrets to the process that we can't reveal, so no-one will be able to replicate our popcorn."

Corn Poppers started off at Ettingshall Road in Wolverhampton and nine years later moved to Wednesbury Trading Estate,

It then went to Greet in Birmingham and four years ago moved to the present base at Potters Lane in Wednesbury.

Mick says he loves popcorn and developing new flavours is a dream job.

"It is my job to develop new flavours for our customers and over the years we have had grape, chilli, orange and cinnamon.

Letters have been received complimenting the medicinal effects of popcorn – recently they included one from a woman having radiotherapy and another with morning sickness.

"I'm sure that even with the shortage of popcorn we will still be here in another 30 years," said Mick.