Full Breakdown
Manchester Cereal Plant Shuts After 88 Years, Shifting Production to Wales
9/4/2026, 11:28:36 AM
Manchester Factory Closure Marks End of an Era
Kellanova announced that its Trafford Park cereal factory in Manchester ceased production on September 3, 2026. The plant, which opened in 1938 and once produced more than one million boxes daily, will remain open for de-commissioning until the end of 2026. The shutdown eliminates roughly 360 jobs and ends a near-nine-decade manufacturing presence in the city.
Background: Facility History and the Mars Acquisition
The six-floor layout, designed for 1930s engineering, left half of the building’s floor space unused, prompting Kellanova to deem modernisation uneconomical. The closure plan was first proposed in February 2024 and confirmed in May 2024 after three months of union consultation with Usdaw and Unite. Concurrently, Kellanova was being acquired by Mars, Incorporated. Mars completed the $35.9 billion purchase on December 11, 2025, after securing 28 regulatory approvals worldwide.
Impact on Workforce and Production Shift
Following the consultation, Kellanova offered an enhanced redundancy package and redeployment assistance for staff willing to relocate to its larger Wrexham site in north Wales. Production of all Kellogg’s cereal brands—including Corn Flakes, Coco Pops, Rice Krispies and Shreddies—has moved to Wrexham, where Kellanova announced a £75 million investment to upgrade packaging lines, its biggest British cereal-production spend in three decades. Chris Silcock, the UK managing director who communicated the closure, stepped down in March 2026 after seven years with the company.
Official Statements & Responses
A Kellanova spokesperson described the halt as “a significant milestone” for the company’s transition. Union representative Mick Murray of Usdaw called the closure “a sad time” but noted the union’s success in securing the enhanced redundancy terms and relocation payments for willing employees. The Trafford Local Studies and Archive Centre later paid tribute to the factory’s heritage with a dedicated exhibition.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A significant milestone was reached this week, as operations across production and packing came to an end.” — Kellanova spokesperson
