Mars set to speculate £161million into UK manufacturing facility – however it has nothing to do with chocolate

A family-owned business behind household brands like Whiskas, Pedigree and Sheba has plans to modernise its factory

Mars is set to pour a £161million investment into its 75-year-old pet food factory. The family-owned business behind household brands including Whiskas, Pedigree and Sheba, will spend the sum modernising its factory in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

The investment will create more than 30 skilled technical and engineering roles in the first year and expand its apprentice programme from 26 to 33 permanent positions by 2027.

This commitment takes the company’s total capital investment in the UK to £661million since 2021.

It follows a £190million investment announced earlier this year in the Mars chocolate factory in Slough, Berkshire, and a £1.2million upgrade to its pet nutrition research and development hub in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

The major upgrade to the site will introduce advanced manufacturing technologies, including smart optical sorting to cut production waste by more than 50%.

This is alongside installation of state-of-the-art pouch lines to enable the switch to fully recyclable mono-PP packaging.

Across its wider UK business, Mars currently employs more than 140 apprentices, backed by a dedicated curriculum designed to upskill associates in artificial intelligence, digital systems, and data analytics.

Nick Foster, General Manager for Mars Pet Nutrition, Northern Europe, said: “The UK is a cornerstone of our global pet care business at Mars.

“The £161million 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’re 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 said: “This investment is great news for the East Midlands, which will bring apprenticeships, jobs and opportunities to local communities and shows that our economic plan is working.

“It’s an investment that marks a huge vote of confidence in local talent and British industry – the driving force behind our plan to reindustrialise and bring good growth to every postcode.”

Mars employs more than 10,000 people across Britain and has eight manufacturing facilities across the UK.