The brand owner launched a plastic alternative to the tin this year and has said it plans to offer both formats again in 2013.
The company’s comments came after sources in the metal packaging sector told PN that the factory supplying an estimated 70% of the tins, Crown’s facility in Carlisle, had been informed that it would no longer produce the tins next year.
In a statement to PN, a spokesman for Nestlé said: “We don’t confirm our 2013 Quality Street range at this time but we are planning to offer consumers both tin and tub formats again next year.”
The spokesman said that Crown would continue to supply tins for Quality Street in 2013.
Metal packaging sources have speculated that Nestlé wants to switch its Quality Street packs from tins to plastic to save on cost.
PN understands that more than two-thirds of the Carlisle plant’s metal packaging output is the manufacture of the Quality Street tins. More than 70 people work at the plant.
No-one from Crown was available to comment.
The Quality Street tin was first launched in 1936 by Halifax confectioner Mackintosh’s.
According to Nestlé, which acquired the firm in 1988, 15 million tins of Quality Street were sold in 2010 – enough sweets to stretch to the moon and back when placed end to end.
