Mondelēz opens four new Cadbury production lines

By Matt Atherton

- Last updated on GMT

Cadbury Dairy Milk production that temporarily moved from the Bournville site has returned, after the opening of four new production lines
Cadbury Dairy Milk production that temporarily moved from the Bournville site has returned, after the opening of four new production lines

Related tags Chocolate Cadbury plc

Mondelēz International has officially opened four new production lines at its Bournville site, the home of Cadbury chocolate, following its £75M investment in 2014.

All Cadbury Dairy Milk production that temporarily left the UK, while the new production lines were installed, has now returned, Mondelēz said. Two of the new production lines will produce up to 1.2M 110g bars of Dairy Milk a day – the same number as before the initial investment.

The other two new production lines would produce up to 13M Cadbury Roses and Heroes a day, in what was described as the first significant investment in Cadbury’s assortments for 30 years.

Mondelēz president of northern Europe Glenn Caton said: “This £75M investment means our Bournville factory can now favourably compete against manufacturing facilities in other European markets, and retain the majority of Cadbury Dairy Milk and Cadbury chocolate production right here in the UK.

‘It cost three times more in Bournville than Germany’

“Previously it cost three times more for us to make a chocolate bar here in Bournville than it did in Germany. That wasn’t sustainable. That​s why our investment in these world-class production lines is so vital.”

The investment meant that Mondelēz has cumulatively invested £200M in its manufacturing operations and research and development over the past five years. The manufacturer said the investment “secured modern manufacturing in the UK for the next generation”​.

Unite the union said the investment gave Bournville’s workers confidence in their roles for the future.

  • “We are overjoyed in the level of investment”

Joe Clarke, Unite

The union’s lead officer Joe Clarke said: “We are overjoyed in the level of investment in new plants and equipment at the Cadbury Bournville site. This investment gives our members confidence in the future and enables Mondelēz to remain competitive and hopefully safeguards jobs and the future for our members at Bournville.

“It’s great news for Birmingham and UK manufacturing.”

The perfect place to do business

Mondelēz’s investment showed that the UK was the perfect place to do business, said environment secretary Andrea Leadsom.

“This £200M investment into world-class production lines in the UK, including at the Bournville site, is a real vote of confidence in the UK as a great, global, trading nation and the ideal place to do business,” ​said Leadsom.

“Our thriving food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK – bigger than cars and aerospace combined – which is why we remain committed to supporting investment and championing the excellence of British food and drink at home and abroad.”

Meanwhile, Cadbury was branded as “absolutely ridiculous”​ by Prime Minister Theresa May on April 4, over its decision to drop the word ‘Easter’​ from a Cadbury and National Trust egg hunt.

Mondelēz’s four new production lines – at a glance

  • Follows £75M investment at Bournville site
  • Cadbury Dairy Milk production returns to Bournville after temporary production line changes
  • 1.2M 110g Dairy Milk bars produced

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