Iconic Kellogg’s Trafford Park site to close
Cornflakes maker Kellogg’s has sent shockwaves through the region this afternoon with its plans to close its Trafford Park factory by the end of 2026 putting 360 jobs at risk.
US parent company Kellanova announced the proposed closure today (8 February 2024) which would end 90 years of production at the site which makes Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Coco Pops.
Kellanova will now enter a period of detailed conversations and consultation with colleagues’ trade unions and employee representatives. The company expects these formal discussions to last around 90 days.
Trade union Usdaw, which represents production workers at the plant, described the news as “devastating” and said it will now enter into consultation talks over the closure.
Mick Murray, Usdaw’s area organiser said: “This is devastating news for the staff to hear that the Kellogg’s manufacturing site in Manchester’s Trafford Park is being considered for closure. This iconic site opened in 1938 and was the first manufacturing base for Kellogg’s in Britain.
“Usdaw will now enter into meaningful consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate their business case and seek the best possible outcome for staff impacted by the proposed closure. We are providing our members with the support, advice and representation at this difficult time.”
Kellanova said Greater Manchester “would remain its British home” and that 520 staff based in MediaCity in Salford Quays, at the Wrexham cereal factory, and the St Helens’ distribution centre would be unaffected.
Acknowledging the strong feelings that the proposed closure has generated Kellanova’s UK Managing Director, Chris Silcock, said: “We know generations of families have worked at our Trafford Park site, and the proposal we are announcing today has nothing to do with the dedication of the outstanding people who work there.
“However, we can’t escape the fact the site opened in 1938. It’s laid out in a way that made sense in the 1930s, with food travelling up and down six floors to be made. With changes in industrial design and technology, you just wouldn’t lay out a factory like that nowadays.
“What’s more we only use half the space in the buildings and the investment required to maintain the factory in the coming years is simply not viable.
“That’s why we can’t currently see a long-term future for our Trafford Park factory.”
He added: “We know this will be difficult for many to hear and that’s why we now want to focus on our people. We will take the necessary time to discuss our proposals with our people and their representatives and show them how we will support them in the right way should this change happen.”
