Unilever has concluded a substantial £40 million transformation of its Burton food factory, now the hub for all UK condiment production.
The five-year project at Unilever’s largest UK food factory has brought all of the company’s condiments, including well-known brands such as Marmite, Bovril, and Colman’s, under one roof. This move aims to enhance the growth of Unilever’s food business in Britain, with 99% of products made at the Burton site destined for UK retailers.
By constructing a second factory adjacent to the existing one, the site has expanded by 50% to a total of 31,000 square metres. This expansion has effectively doubled the production volume and improved total factory efficiency by 13% over the past three years. The final investment phase included the addition of a new production line dedicated to Hellmann’s, setting the stage for a record production year in 2024, averaging nine million jars and bottles of condiments monthly.
Unilever’s focus on digital capabilities has resulted in a highly optimised production process across their two factories and nine production lines. This digital integration has not only boosted production capacity but also enhanced supply chain efficiency.
Andre Burger, Unilever UK and Ireland’s food lead, highlighted the significance of the investment, noting that it reinforces Burton’s role as a central hub for British food production. By integrating all condiment production, the company has advanced its supply chain and manufacturing processes, facilitating remarkable growth for the site.
Alongside productivity advancements, environmental sustainability has been a key benefit of the investment. The utilisation of real-time data has dramatically reduced food waste at the site by half since 2021. Remaining waste has been redirected to produce energy via an on-site biogas recycling plant or repurposed as animal feed for local farms.
This investment marks a significant step for Unilever in streamlining its UK production operations, marrying increased efficiency with environmental responsibility.
