Pladis invests £68 million to boost UK growth modernising factories

The parent company of McVitie’s and Jacob’s, Pladis, has announced a £68 million investment into its UK operations in a bid to drive significant growth. The funds will be focused on upgrading manufacturing sites across the northwest, including Stockport, Carlisle, and Aintree. This move is part of the company’s strategy to modernise its facilities, enhance production capabilities, and improve overall efficiency.

A significant portion of the funds, £21 million, will be allocated to the Stockport factory, home to the iconic McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, for the introduction of a state-of-the-art chocolate moulding line. Meanwhile, the Aintree site, known for producing Jacob’s cream crackers, is set to receive a £33 million overhaul, which will include the installation of a new oven to optimise production processes.

The Carlisle factory is also receiving attention, with £2 million earmarked for upgrades to its savoury assortments department. Additionally, £12 million has been assigned to infrastructure improvements across the company’s UK sites, including at the Harlesden factory in northwest London, which has been operating for 123 years.

Pladis asserts that these investments aim to boost capacity, ramp up automation, and introduce cutting-edge technology across its manufacturing processes. Beyond improving productivity, the company expects these upgrades to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 876 tonnes annually. This demonstrates an alignment with sustainable business practices while responding to increased demand for its products.

Pladis has a rich heritage, established in 2016 as part of Turkey’s Yildiz Holdings. The group employs 16,000 individuals across 27 bakeries and factories in 11 countries. Known globally for brands such as McVitie’s, Jacob’s, Flipz, and Godiva, the company recorded robust revenues of £2.8 billion for the year ending December 2023, an 8% year-on-year increase.

Mete Buyurgan, Pladis’ managing director for the UK and Ireland, described this investment as a milestone in the company’s growth journey. The firm continues to focus on innovation and capacity-building to position itself in competitive markets while exporting its products to over 50 countries worldwide.