Council welcomes 'fantastic' new multi-million pound investment in key Melton business

Melton Borough Council has welcomed the ‘fantastic’ new £161M investment in the town’s petfoods factory as ‘a huge vote of confidence in our town’.

We reported yesterday that dozens of new skilled jobs and a number of apprenticeships would be created at Mars Petcare UK as a result of a modernisation of the production process.

New high speed pouch lines will be installed along with advanced manufacturing technologies which will also reduce waste by more than 50 per cent.

Responding to the news, borough council leader, Ronan Browne, said: “This is fantastic news for Melton Mowbray and a huge vote of confidence in our town, our local economy and our workforce.

“For 75 years, Mars has been part of the fabric of Melton Mowbray, providing high-quality employment and creating opportunities for generations of local people.

“This £161M commitment builds on that proud history while looking firmly to the future, bringing advanced manufacturing technology, new skilled jobs and further apprenticeship opportunities to the town.

“This investment also strongly complements our ambitions for inward investment in Melton.

“Our strategy is about building on the borough's established strengths, particularly in food production, while encouraging innovation, higher-skilled jobs and investment in the industries of the future.

“Mars's decision to make this substantial long-term investment in Melton is a powerful demonstration of that ambition in action.”

The upgrading of the Mill Street plant, which produces brands such as Pedigree dog food and Whiskas cat food, will create more than 30 skilled technical and engineering roles in the first year and increase the factory’s dedicated apprentice program from 26 to 33 permanent positions by 2027.

Mars closed its canning line last year, resulting in the loss of jobs, due to a significant drop in demand for canned pet food - the new investment will establish the Melton Mowbray site as the company’s main UK factory for pouched pet food.

Councillor Browne added: “We are particularly proud of the strong relationship we have developed with Mars.

“Our planning and regeneration teams have worked closely with the business across its operations in Melton and Waltham, engaging early and working collaboratively to help support its ambitions.

“That proactive approach is central to our aim of making Melton a business-friendly place where existing businesses can grow and investors have confidence to make long-term commitments.

“The fact that this investment will establish Melton Mowbray as Mars's primary UK factory for pouched pet food further strengthens our position as a nationally important centre for food production and advanced manufacturing.

“We are delighted that Mars is continuing to invest in Melton and look forward to working with them as this exciting programme progresses.”