Mars announces £161 million investment in Melton pet food manufacturing site
Mars has today announced a multi million pound investment to modernise and future-proof its historic pet nutrition factory in Melton Mowbray.
The site, in Mill Street, which produces Whiskas for the UK will benefit from more than £160m of investment.
This latest commitment takes the company’s total capital investment in the UK to £661 million since 2021. It follows a £190 million investment announced earlier this year in the Mars chocolate factory in Slough, and a £1.2 million upgrade to its pet nutrition research and development hub in Birstall.
The major upgrade to the site will introduce advanced manufacturing technologies, including smart optical sorting to cut production waste by over 50%, alongside installation of state-of-the-art pouch lines to enable the switch to fully recyclable mono-PP packaging. Together, these upgrades will create a more modern, resilient and future-ready manufacturing operation.
A hybrid application has already been submitted to Melton Borough Council consisting of full permission for the partial demolition of buildings with erection of new manufacturing, storage and distribution and utilities buildings and floorspace with associated drainage, landscaping and external plant/machinery.
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 expand Melton Mowbray's dedicated apprentice program from 26 to 33 permanent positions by 2027.
By offering practical, high-tech skills, the program directly supports the UK Government’s ambitions for regional economic growth and youth employment. 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, and this £161 million 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 reindustrialise and bring good growth to every postcode.”
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