Major £161M investment to be made in Melton Mowbray petfood factory
A major investment of £161M is to be pumped into Melton Mowbray’s petfood factory creating dozens of new skilled jobs and a number of apprenticeship posts.
The news was announced today (Tuesday) and represents a modernisation and future-proofing of the Mars Petcare UK plant, on Mill Street, which produces brands such as Pedigree dog food and Whiskas cat food.
The money will be used to transform the production process there, such as introducing new high-speed, fully recyclable pouch production lines and advanced manufacturing technologies.
As part of the enhancement work, smart optical sorting will be installed to cut production waste by over 50 per cent.
The major upgrade to the site will create a more modern, resilient and future-ready manufacturing operation.
The investment will also actively support local employment and career pathways by creating more than 30 skilled technical and engineering roles in the first year.
It will also expand the Melton factory’s dedicated apprentice program from 26 to 33 permanent positions by 2027.
Nick Foster, general manager for Mars Pet Nutrition, Northern Europe, said: "The UK is a cornerstone of our global pet care business at Mars, and this £161M investment is a direct statement of our confidence in the UK market and the vital role our British factories play within our wider European network.
"Melton Mowbray has been feeding the nation's pets for 75 years.
"By equipping our teams with world-class technology and sustainable manufacturing capabilities, we are strengthening the site's role within our regional supply network and ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of British pet owners for years to come.”
Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, added: “This investment is great news for the East Midlands, which will bring jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities to local communities and shows that our economic plan is working. It’s an investment which marks a huge vote of confidence in local talent and British industry – the driving force behind our plan to reindustrialize and bring good growth to every postcode.”
The Melton factory opened in 1951 when Mars moved its production of Chappie dog food from Slough – the name changed to Pedigree Petfoods in 1972.
Mars also operates the world-leading nearby Waltham Petcare Science Institute.