Wrexham Kellogg's factory set to create 130 jobs becoming Europe's biggest cereal plant
'I hope it will bring a lot of hope to people in the area'
Cereal company Kellanova has announced it will invest £75m in its north Wales plant making it "Europe's largest cereal plant".
The manufacturer, formerly known as Kellogg Company, intends to introduce sustainable production technology at its Wrexham site, which will allow them to produce 1.5 million boxes of cereal per day.
The plant, which currently employs 350 people, produces well-known brands including All-Bran, Fruit 'n Fibre and Special K.
At least 130 jobs will be created at the site in the company's "largest single investment in British cereal production in over 30 years".
The Welsh factory, which opened in 1978, will also begin to produce cereal brands Corn Flakes and Crunchy Nut, ahead of the closure of Kellanova's Greater Manchester plant in 2026.
The company said the move will double the Wrexham plant’s annual cereal production as well as helping "create continued employment opportunities for colleagues in its Manchester plant".
Kellanova announced in May that the closure of its Trafford Park factory would result in 360 job losses.
Wrexham Council has welcomed the plans. Its lead member for economy and tourism, councillor Nigel Williams said: "This is fantastic news for the economy of Wrexham. This investment will create an additional 130 skilled and well-paid jobs, and will consolidate the plant’s long-term future…making it the largest producer of cereal in Europe."
He added: "I’m aware of hundreds of millions of pounds being invested by companies in Wrexham at the moment, and this is another example of how these large international companies have the confidence to invest here. It’s a fantastic endorsement for the city and county borough, and shows that Wrexham is open for business."
Analysis from ITV Wales reporter, Joanne Gallacher
This investment in Wrexham is another boost for north east Wales.
This is a powerhouse of manufacturing with a number of large factories based in Wrexham and Flintshire on two of Europe’s largest industrial estates.
The £75m boost in Kellogg's has been largely welcomed but there’s some concern that new jobs may not be all they seem. The posts are being created as another factory in Manchester is closing. Staff have been given the chance to redeploy from 50 miles away but I’ve been told only a small number will do that.
It has also been announced that the Kimberley Clark factory will close in Flint next year but I’ve been told today that Kellogg's are in discussions to help staff and possibly relocate to Wrexham.
They have had a similar offer from Shotton Mill. £1bn is being invested into the plant in Deeside offering yet more employment in the area.
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: “We look forward to making Wrexham the home of our cereal production for many generations to come.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens MP said: "Kellanova’s plans are another huge vote of confidence in the economy of north east Wales. I am delighted to see many more new jobs and major investment coming to the area so soon after Eren Holdings’ announcement at Shotton Mill."
She continued: "This government’s key mission is to grow our economy. Making the UK the destination of choice for investors is a crucial part of that plan. And this news is the latest demonstration of the huge part Wales has to play in achieving our growth mission."
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