3 min read - 14 Jul, 2025
McVitie’s owner injects £68m into UK factories
Confectionery and snack foods manufacturer pladis, which owns British-based brands including McVitie’s, Jacob’s and Carr’s, is investing £68m across its UK operations.
The majority of the funds are earmarked for sites in the North West of England, with the investment set to grow the company’s operations in Liverpool, Stockport and Carlisle.
The additional capital will be used to increase capacity, capability and productivity through the introduction of more automated lines and updated factory infrastructure.
The biscuit and cracker maker is also targeting a sustainability benefit. Investments in its UK operations are expected to cut 876 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, the equivalent of removing approximately 440 cars off the road.
McVities owner pladis is investing £68m across its UK operations / Picture: pladis
In Stockport, the home of the McVitie’s Jaffa Cake, pladis is investing £21m to introduce a new chocolate moulding line featuring state-of-the-art robotic technology.
Liverpool’s Aintree site, known for baking Jacob’s Cream Crackers, will benefit from a £33m overhaul. This comprehensive refurbishment includes the installation of new ovens and infrastructure, ensuring the facility is fit for the future.
In Carlisle, £2m will be used to invest in the savoury assortments department, resulting in the bakery recruiting, onboarding and training 48 new colleagues. This historic site, the world’s oldest biscuit factory, has been in operation since 1831 and currently employs around 800 people.
This vote of confidence in the North West as a manufacturing powerhouse comes on the back of new data, which revealed pladis’ manufacturing operations generate almost £240m for the regional economy each year.
In Stockport, pladis is investing £21m in a new chocolate moulding line, featuring state-of-the-art robotic technology / Picture: pladis
An additional pot of £12m has been allocated to support infrastructure across its UK sites, which, alongside Stockport, Liverpool and Carlisle, include facilities in Halifax, Harlesden in North London and Leicester.
Mete Buyurgan, pladis UK & Ireland managing director, said: “Today’s announcement is an important milestone in renovating our sites and unlocking capacity for our 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.”
This current investment rollout is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.
In the UK, pladis manufacturing operations generate almost £240m for the regional economy each year / Picture: pladis
Founded in 2016, pladis employs 16,000 people across 27 bakeries and factories in 11 countries, with its brands sold in more than 110 nations.
Today’s announcement follows a period of sustained growth for pladis, with group revenues including the UK increasing by 8% year-on-year to £2.8bn, according to its most recent financial disclosures.
