Kellogg's factory in Trafford Park to close in 2026
The proposals put 360 jobs at risk
Last updated 8th Feb 2024
Kellogg’s owner has announced it plans to close its Trafford Park factory in 2026.
It would see the loss of 360 jobs.
Kellanova has today begun started formal discussions with colleagues and their union representatives at its Trafford Park factory.
The company says the almost 90-year-old facility is too old to modernise, and says the site already has a large amount of redundant space in its buildings.
Kellanova’s UK Managing Director, Chris Silcock, said:
“We know generations of families have worked at our Trafford Park site, and the proposal we are announcing today has nothing to do with the dedication of the outstanding people who work there.
“However, we can’t escape the fact the site opened in 1938. It’s laid out in a way that made sense in the 1930s, with food travelling up and down six floors to be made. With changes in industrial design and technology, you just wouldn’t lay out a factory like that nowadays.
“What’s more we only use half the space in the buildings and the investment required to maintain the factory in the coming years is simply not viable.
“That’s why we can’t currently see a long-term future for our Trafford Park factory.”
“We know this will be difficult for many to hear and that’s why we now want to focus on our people. We will take the necessary time to discuss our proposals with our people and their representatives and show them how we will support them in the right way should this change happen”.
The company has said that while it is reviewing its Trafford Park factory, Greater Manchester will remain its British home.
520 Kellanova jobs will remain in Greater Manchester.
The company’s MediaCity office in Salford is unaffected by this proposal.
Its other UK cereal factory and Portable Foods facility in Wrexham and its St Helens’ distribution centre are not affected by today’s announcement.
Kellanova’s predecessor, Kellogg Company, has had a presence in the city-region since 24 May 1938 when it officially opened the doors of its 27-acre Park Road facility.
It operates 24 hours a day and is where Kellanova makes many of its major cereal products including Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Coco Pops. Around 1 million boxes of cereal are produced at the factory each day mainly for sale in British and Irish supermarkets.
Kellanova says it will now enter a period of detailed conversations and consultation with colleagues’ trade unions and employee representatives. The company expects these formal discussions to last around 90 days.
The Stretford and Urmston MP has tweeted about the news:
Mick Murray – Usdaw Area Organiser says:
“This is devastating news for the staff to hear that the Kellogg’s manufacturing site in Manchester’s Trafford Park is being considered for closure. This iconic site opened in 1938 and was the first manufacturing base for Kellogg’s in Britain.
“Usdaw will now enter into meaningful consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate their business case and seek the best possible outcome for staff impacted by the proposed closure. We are providing our members with the support, advice and representation at this difficult time.”