McVitie’s parent company, Pladis, has announced a £68 million investment programme to upgrade its UK manufacturing operations.
The London-based company, whose portfolio includes brands such as Carr’s, Godiva, Jacob’s, and McVitie’s, described the investment as a “vote of confidence in UK plc” as it aims to expand capacity, boost productivity, and enhance sustainability across key sites.
The bulk of the investment will be directed to the North West of England, including £21 million for the Stockport factory — home of the McVitie’s Jaffa Cake. The funding will support the installation of a new chocolate moulding line featuring state-of-the-art robotic technology.
A further £33 million has been allocated to the Aintree site in Liverpool, where Jacob’s Cream Crackers are produced. The facility will undergo a major refurbishment, including the installation of new ovens and infrastructure to modernise and streamline operations.
In Carlisle, Pladis will invest £2 million in its savoury assortments department, supporting the recruitment and training of 48 new employees. The factory, which dates back to 1831, is regarded as the world’s oldest biscuit factory and currently employs around 800 people.
In addition to boosting production capacity, the snacking giant said the investment will deliver clear environmental benefits. The planned upgrades are expected to cut carbon emissions by 876 tonnes a year — equivalent to taking around 440 cars off the road.
An additional £12 million has been earmarked for infrastructure upgrades at several other UK sites, including Halifax, Harlesden in London, and Leicester.
“Today’s announcement is an important milestone in renovating our sites and unlocking capacity for our growth story,” said Pladis UK and Ireland managing director Mete Buyurgan.
“We have a fantastic suite of much-loved brands, baked by dedicated colleagues, and we have a responsibility to continue to nurture these brands for customers and consumers across the world. The news of these investments we are sharing today will enable us to achieve this”.
The programme is set to be completed by the end of 2026 and comes on the back of a period of sustained growth for Pladis, which reported an 8% year-on-year increase in group revenues to £2.8 billion in its latest financial results.
Meanwhile, pladis stated that its manufacturing operations already contribute nearly £240 million annually to the North West regional economy. The company employs 16,000 people across 27 sites in 11 countries, with its products sold in over 110 markets worldwide.
Earlier this year, the British food manufacturer expanded its operations with the launch of an Accelerator Programme designed to support early-stage companies in the UK and abroad.
