Pladis has unveiled a new £2m warehouse to support expansion of capacity at its Carlisle production facility.
With space for 1,600 pallets, the narrow-aisle warehouse forms part of the company’s £12m total investment in the Cumbria site over the past 18 months.
This includes the installation of four new production lines, which feature new process capability and packaging formats. Over 150 new employees have been recruited on a permanent basis.
Pladis UK managing director David Murray said the warehouse marked a “proud moment in the company’s 192-year history in the area”, calling the Carlisle team an important part of the global Pladis family.
“This investment is part of Pladis’ continued business transformation journey as one of the leading global snacking companies,” Murray added. “We are pleased to announce the new warehouse will support the creation of 50 new jobs, further bolstering our presence in the region.”
The facility was opened by Carlisle MP John Stevenson who said the multi-million pound investment was “another real boost to the Carlisle economy with more jobs for local people”.
Pladis describes itself as the second largest biscuit manufacturer in the world, and owns brands such as McVitie’s Jacob’s, Carr’s, Go Ahead!, Flipz, and BN, as well as Turkish food brand Ülker and Godiva Chocolatier. Recent product launches in the UK include Jacob’s Crinklys with 30% less fat, a white chocolate version of McVitie’s Digestives, and two flavours of McVitie’s Tartlets.
Carr’s Table Water Biscuits, Flatbreads, and Savoury Assortments, McVitie’s Ginger Nuts and Gold Bars, and Go Ahead Fruit & Oat Bakes are among the products made at the Carlisle factory.
The company, which has its global headquarters in London, currently employs more than 16,000 staff worldwide and operates 25 factories in 11 countries. In May, Pladis appointed Fulya Fraser as its first chief growth officer, leading a newly-created Market Development Business Unit to ‘unify, prioritise and accelerate growth efforts across key global markets and geographies’.
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