Investment Attraction

The parent company of McVitie’s, pladis, has made a significant £21 million investment in its Stockport factory, aimed at enhancing production capabilities through the introduction of a new chocolate moulding line equipped with advanced robotic technology. This investment is part of a broader £68 million initiative across various sites in the North-West, including Aintree and Carlisle, to support operational growth. The Stockport site, which has been a manufacturing landmark since 1917, is not only the sole producer of McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes and Penguin bars but also houses a large chocolate refinery responsible for the chocolate topping on McVitie’s Digestives.

The investment is expected to create 45 new jobs, adding to the existing workforce of 450, thereby safeguarding numerous roles and reinforcing the factory's position as a key player in the local economy, which generates nearly £240 million annually from pladis’ manufacturing operations in the North-West. This strategic move is seen as a commitment to future-proofing McVitie’s heritage brands and enhancing the region's reputation as a manufacturing powerhouse. The general manager of the Stockport factory, Anthony Coulson, emphasized the importance of this investment in maintaining the production of 80 million packets of McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives each year, all made with chocolate produced locally.

Local officials, including the Member of Parliament for Stockport and the Leader of Stockport Council, have praised the investment as a significant boost to the local economy and a testament to Stockport’s industrial heritage. The Managing Director at MIDAS highlighted that the introduction of state-of-the-art technology not only strengthens Greater Manchester's position as an innovation hub but also contributes to meaningful job creation, reinforcing the region's skilled workforce and commitment to supporting growth in the food manufacturing sector. This investment follows a period of sustained growth for pladis, with group revenues increasing by 8% year-on-year to £2.8 billion.