McVitie’s parent company pladis has revealed a £68m investment programme aimed at upgrading its UK manufacturing operations.

The company, which is based in London with a portfolio that includes brands such as Carr’s, Godiva, Jacob’s and McVitie’s, said the move represents a “vote of confidence in UK plc” as it looks to expand capacity, productivity and sustainability across key sites.

A majority of the investment will be spent in the North West of England, with £21m going into its Stockport factory, which is the home of the McVitie’s Jaffa Cake. The site’s new cash injection is set to be spent on a new chocolate moulding line equipped with “state-of-the-art robotic technology”.

A further £33m has been earmarked for Liverpool’s Aintree site, which bakes Jacob’s Cream Crackers. The site will undergo a major refurbishment, including the installation of new ovens and infrastructure to modernise operations.

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In Carlisle, pladis will invest £2m in its savoury assortments department, supporting the recruitment and training of 48 new staff. The factory, dating back to 1831, is recognised as the world’s oldest biscuit factory and employs around 800 people.

As well as increasing production capacity, the snacking giant said the investment would deliver tangible environmental benefits. The upgrades are expected to cut 876 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing around 440 cars from the road.

Elsewhere, a further £12m has been set aside to support infrastructure improvements across other UK sites, including Halifax, Harlesden in London and Leicester.

“Today’s announcement is an important milestone in renovating our sites and unlocking capacity for our growth story,” said pladis UK and Ireland managing director Mete Buyurgan.

“We have a fantastic suite of much-loved brands, baked by dedicated colleagues, and we have a responsibility to continue to nurture these brands for customers and consumers across the world. The news of these investments we are sharing today will enable us to achieve this”

The programme is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026 and follows a period of sustained growth for pladis. The company reported group revenues rising 8% year on year to £2.8bn in its most recent financial results.

Meanwhile, according to pladis, its manufacturing operations already generate nearly £240m for the North West regional economy annually. The business employs 16,000 people across 27 sites in 11 countries, with products sold in more than 110 markets.

Earlier this year, the British food manufacturer expanded the business with the launch of an Accelerator Programme to nurture early-stage companies, both within the UK and internationally.