Nestlé Purina has unveiled plans for a £150 million upgrade to its Wisbech factory, a key site in the production of some of the UK’s most popular pet food brands, including Felix, Gourmet, and Winalot.
This substantial investment aims to modernise the Cambridgeshire factory, with completion expected by early 2025.
The factory, which employs 600 workers, is undergoing a series of upgrades. These include the installation of advanced technology and machinery to improve production lines, a revamp of employee facilities, and initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions over the coming years.
Boosting Employment and Training at Wisbech
As part of the investment, Nestlé Purina has created 40 new skilled positions to support the optimisation and maintenance of the new technology being introduced. Alongside new hires, the company is also focusing on upskilling its existing workforce, providing training opportunities to ensure staff can fully utilise the updated machinery and systems.
Richard Watson, CEO of Nestlé UK & Ireland, emphasised the significance of the investment: “We are very proud of our British manufacturing network with around 3,500 people employed in factory-based roles across the UK. This investment reflects the great work being done by our teams to position the UK as a market with significant manufacturing expertise and capability.”
Enhancing Factory Efficiency and Sustainability
The upgrade at Wisbech forms part of a broader initiative to improve the sustainability of Nestlé’s operations. The investment will fund efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, aligning with the company’s global commitment to sustainability.
Jez McInerney, Factory Manager at Wisbech, spoke about the site’s future: “Purina is committed to creating top quality nutrition for the nation’s pets – but it’s certainly not all we do. We work tirelessly to do more of what matters beyond the bowl as well, for pets, for the people who love them, and the planet.”
Nestlé Purina’s investment in Wisbech is just one part of the company’s broader commitment to UK manufacturing. Over the past decade, Nestlé UK and Ireland has invested more than £650 million in its UK factories, including recent upgrades at its sites in York, Halifax, and Buxton.
The Wisbech factory upgrade marks a significant milestone in Nestlé Purina’s ongoing efforts to improve its production processes and sustainability measures, ensuring the site remains a leader in pet food manufacturing for years to come.
