Kraft Heinz Ketchup returns to Britain with plans for US$196M sauce facility

01 Jun 2021 --- The Kraft Heinz Company is investing £140 million (US$196 million) in UK operations, expanding Europe’s largest food manufacturing facility located near the North-West of England. It will see British favorites such as ketchup, mayonnaise and salad cream being made in the UK once again.

Pegged as one of the largest proposed investments in a British manufacturing facility post-Brexit, Kitt Green will be the biggest Kraft Heinz investment in over two decades in an existing manufacturing site outside the US.

The proposed investment is subject to final US approvals from Kraft Heinz later this year.

Kitt Green will be the biggest Kraft Heinz investment in over two decades in an existing manufacturing site outside the US.The investment will be focused on further modernizing the site’s manufacturing capabilities over the next four years.

Expanding production & upgrading
It’s focused on three key pillars; bringing Heinz iconic sauce manufacturing back to the UK to build additional European capacity, further upgrading machinery and driving the plant to deliver its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments.

The Kitt Green plan is a strong vote of confidence in post-Brexit Britain, aligning with the UK Government’s leveling up agenda and demonstrating Kraft Heinz’s commitment to the UK and its food manufacturing capabilities, notes Kraft Heinz. 

Kitt Green currently produces 1.3 billion cans of food per year, of which 94 percent is consumed in the UK.

Iconic Kraft Heinz brands including Heinz Beanz, Soups and Pasta will continue to be produced at the Kitt Green site for the UK market. 

Plans to bring sauce manufacturing for products such as Heinz tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and salad cream are designed to meet the demand from a new generation of UK consumers, the company urges. 

Energy-saving targets 
The investment will also fund updated manufacturing equipment and technology, the first of its kind across the Kraft Heinz network. 

Kitt Green will become much more of a modern facility producing higher quality products with its new machinery. The investment will see British favorites such as ketchup, mayonnaise and salad cream being made in the UK once again. 

With this, the site will minimize the use of non-renewable sources, producing fully recyclable items and ultimately helping to considerably reduce the site’s CO2 footprint, aligning with its ESG commitments. 

To enable employees to operate this machinery, Kitt Green will also be providing upskilling opportunities while creating up to 50 new full-time positions.

“As a result of this proposed investment, we are now in the fortunate position where Kitt Green can become a much more modern facility and our teams will have the ability to adopt more contemporary ways of working while exemplifying the highest global standards for food manufacturing,” says Luis Spinardi, site director at Kitt Green.

“Not only are we excited to be expanding our product mix by bringing sauces back to the UK but also look forward to a more efficient facility with a sustainable future. Consumers remain at the center of everything we do, and this was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Whether you’re a Heinz Mayonnaise or Ketchup fan, the Kraft Heinz investment is a vote of confidence in the UK economy from a major US firm and a boost,” adds Gerry Grimstone, Minister for Investment.

“The US is a key trading partner, and we are committed to striking an ambitious trade deal that opens up new opportunities for our businesses, brings in more investment and creates better jobs for people across the whole of the country.”

Edited by Gaynor Selby