McVitie’s Bets Big on Sustainability with £68M Plan to Reduce Emissions

Image Credit: McVitie's

Pladis, the snacking powerhouse behind household names such as McVitie’s, Jacob’s, and Flipz, has unveiled plans to invest £68 million across its UK operations, marking a significant push to accelerate growth. Headquartered in London, the company is focusing much of this capital injection on its sites in the North West, aiming to boost production capacity, modernise infrastructure, and ramp up automation.

But this isn’t just about speed and scale. Pladis is also focusing on sustainability. The planned upgrades are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 876 tonnes annually, roughly equivalent to taking 440 cars off the road.

In Stockport, where the iconic McVitie’s Jaffa Cake is made, the company is investing £21 million in a new chocolate moulding line. This line will feature cutting-edge robotic technology designed to streamline operations and increase productivity.

Over in Liverpool, the Aintree facility that bakes Jacob’s Cream Crackers is in line for a £33 million transformation. The site will receive new ovens and supporting infrastructure, all part of a strategy to future-proof the plant for the long haul.

In Carlisle, a £2 million investment will be made to enhance the savoury assortment department. This upgrade will also create new jobs in the region, with 48 roles being added to a site that already employs approximately 800 people. Notably, this factory holds the title of the world’s oldest biscuit factory, having been in continuous operation since 1831.

Beyond these core locations, Pladis has earmarked an additional £12 million to support upgrades across its broader UK footprint. That includes facilities in Halifax, Harlesden in North London, and Leicester, all key parts of its national supply chain.

With this investment, Pladis is not only scaling up its production capabilities but also reinforcing its long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the communities behind Britain’s favourite snacks.

“Today’s announcement is an important milestone in renovating our sites and unlocking capacity for our growth story,” said Mete Buyurgan, UK & Ireland managing director at pladis.

“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.”