£75m Kellogg’s investment offers jobs lifeline to staff at doomed North West plant
More than 100 jobs will be created as part of a £75m investment by Kellogg’s parent company, Kellanova, at a North Wales plant – which could offer a lifeline to staff at its Manchester plant scheduled to close by the end of 2026.
In May this year US-based Kellanova announced the closure of the Trafford Park plant, with the loss of all 360 jobs.
Kellanova said the site, which originally opened in 1938 and makes Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Coco Pops, is no longer fit for purpose.
It has now revealed plans to invest £75m in its cereal factory in Wrexham, North Wales.
The investment will lead to the creation of at least 130 jobs in Wrexham, support career development for the 350 existing colleagues based there, as well as offer continued employment opportunities for colleagues in the Manchester plant, the company said.
The Wrexham factory opened in 1978 and is Kellanova’s largest Special K plant in the world. Other brands, including All Bran, Bran Flakes and Fruit ’n Fibre, are also produced at the site.
The production of other Kellogg’s cereal brands made in the UK – including Corn Flakes, and Crunchy Nut – will move to Wrexham as the company winds down production at its Trafford Park factory.
The Wrexham plant’s current annual cereal production will more than double, establishing it as the largest cereal manufacturing site in Europe, producing around 1.5 million boxes of cereal brands every day.
Kellanova’s UK Managing Director, Chris Silcock, said: “This investment is a major commitment to cereal production in the UK. By bringing together the manufacturing of all our major breakfast cereals at one site in Wrexham, we can make significant leaps forward in the efficiency, quality and sustainability of our operation.
“It sets us up for future success and opens up new possibilities for our iconic brands to continue delighting our customers and consumers.”
He added: “This is also a huge investment in our people. We’re very pleased that we will be creating at least 130 new roles in Wrexham, as well as improving the existing facilities for our colleagues.
“We look forward to making Wrexham the home of our cereal production for many generations to come.”
Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said: “Kellanova’s cereals are much loved by many households across the UK, so it’s great news that this investment will not only ensure their continued production in North Wales, but also create 130 local skilled jobs.”
