Mondelez, the owner of Cadbury is to bring its Dairy Milk production back to the Uk from its sites in continental Europe.
It said it will increase the number of bars it makes at its historic site in Bournville which will receive a £15 million investment.
£11 million of the investment will go towards creating a new production “line of the future” with Louise Stigant, UK managing director, Mondelez International, saying: “At a time when manufacturing in the UK is facing significant challenges, it has never been more vital to secure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of our business.
“We now have an opportunity at Bournville to further invest in its future as the home and heart of Cadbury by bringing more Cadbury Dairy Milk production to Bournville.
“This investment will continue the modernising of our production processes at Bournville and ensure we are meeting the need for a highly efficient and robust supply infrastructure for our iconic Cadbury Dairy Milk tablets.”
The remaining £4 million of the investment will help the site to increase its chocolate-making capacity allowing it to produce 125 million more of its sharing bars.
Roberto Gambaccini, Bournville manufacturing director, said: “Today, thanks to our investments over the last seven years and our colleagues’ commitment to improving productivity, Bournville is now much more competitive across our manufacturing network, particularly when it comes to producing high volume products such as Cadbury Dairy Milk tablets.
“It’s important that we continue this journey and this investment will see us take full advantage of the efficiencies that modernisation, and upskilling can create to continue the growth and success of the Bournville site.”
