Kellogg's will end production at its historic Trafford Park factory in the UK by the close of 2024, marking the end of an era for the site that has operated since 1938. The company cited the outdated layout of the factory, spread across six floors and designed in the 1930s, as a significant factor in the decision. This legacy manufacturing process, which involved food traveling up and down multiple levels, is no longer efficient for modern production needs.
At its peak, the Trafford Park facility produced approximately one million boxes of popular cereals, including Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, and Coco Pops, each day. However, Kellogg's stated that half of the building's space was unused, and the cost of redeveloping the site to meet current standards was prohibitive.
While production at Trafford Park concludes, Kellogg's, an American company founded in Michigan in 1906, will maintain a substantial presence in the North West of England. The company continues to employ around 500 people at its UK head office in Media City, Salford, and at a distribution center in St Helens. The company also has a production facility in Wrexham.
Kellanova, the company's food division, indicated it would collaborate with local organizations to commemorate the factory's significant history. Special events and acknowledgments are planned in the coming months to celebrate the site's legacy.
The closure has involved discussions with union representatives, such as Usdaw, who have worked to secure enhanced redundancy packages and relocation assistance for employees willing to move to the Wrexham facility. Union officials praised the shop floor representatives for their dedication over the years.
Kellogg's began exporting to the UK in 1922, and the Trafford Park factory, established in 1938, became a cornerstone of its British operations. The decision to close comes as the company adapts to evolving manufacturing requirements and economic considerations.