Snacking giant pladis has announced a £68 million upgrade of its UK bakeries to drive growth and cut carbon.
The London-based company has earmarked the bulk of the cash for its sites in the North West of England, in a move designed to boost the growth of some of Britain’s most beloved brands, including McVitie’s and Jacob’s.
The investment will increase capacity, capability and productivity through new automated lines and updated factory infrastructure. It will also support pladis’ sustainability ambitions, with the upgrades expected to cut 876 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – equivalent to taking around 440 cars off the road.
In Stockport, the home of the iconic McVitie’s Jaffa Cake, pladis is investing £21 million in a new chocolate moulding line featuring state-of-the-art robotic technology.
Liverpool’s Aintree site, known for baking Jacob’s Cream Crackers, will see a £33 million overhaul, including new ovens and infrastructure to future-proof the facility.
In Carlisle – home to the world’s oldest biscuit factory, operating since 1831 – £2 million will be invested in the savoury assortments department, creating 48 new jobs. The site currently employs around 800 people.
The investment is a major vote of confidence in the North West’s role as a UK manufacturing powerhouse. Recent figures show pladis’ operations contribute nearly £240 million to the region’s economy each year. A further £12 million will support infrastructure improvements across other UK sites, including facilities in Halifax, Harlesden (North London) and Leicester.
Mete Buyurgan, UK & Ireland Managing Director at pladis, described the announcement as an “important milestone” in renovating the company’s sites and unlocking capacity for its growth story.
“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 current investment programme is set to be completed by the end of 2026.
Founded in 2016, pladis employs 16,000 people across 27 bakeries and factories in 11 countries, with its brands sold in more than 110 countries worldwide. The announcement follows a period of sustained growth for the company, with group revenues rising 8% year-on-year to £2.8 billion, according to its latest results.
