Cadbury Bournville Factory Expansion & Modernization
Bournville, Birmingham, UK · 2005-Present (ongoing investments) · £75m (2017 expansion), £15m (2021 new production line), £3.3m (2025 Consumer Research Centre), £40m (2005 CDM plant investment)
The judgement call
Account action unavailableMondelēz International's continuous investment in Bournville, including significant expansions and upgrades, demonstrates its commitment to the site as the 'home and heart' of Cadbury. - The investments have focused on improving productivity and introducing new production capabilities, such as for Dairy Milk Oreo and Tiffin, ensuring the factory's long-term viability. - The establishment of a Consumer Research Centre highlights the importance of integrating R&D with manufacturing to stay ahead in the confectionery market.
Key engineering challenges
Expanding and modernizing a historic confectionery manufacturing site while maintaining its heritage. - Integrating new production lines and advanced machinery for increased output and efficiency. - Improving productivity levels to remain competitive with other European sites. - Developing new facilities like a Consumer Research Centre to drive product innovation.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Mondelēz International (Cadbury)
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- upgrade | expansion | new build
- Scale
- Four new production lines (2017); new wrapping and packing lines; new chocolate-making area; new Consumer Research Centre.
- Disciplines
- process engineering; mechanical; electrical; civil; structural; food science; logistics
- Standards & frameworks
- Food safety standards, HACCP, relevant manufacturing regulations
Sources: Invest West Midlands (https://www.investwestmidlands.com/set-up-in-west-midlands/case-studies/cadbury-mondelez/) - Confectionery Production (Jul 2017, https://www.confectioneryproduction.com/news/18030/cadburys-expands-production-bournville-chocolate-factory/) - Confectionery News (Feb 2021, https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2021/02/08/Mondelez-to-invest-15m-in-UK-s-Bournville-site-the-home-of-Cadbury/) - Greater Birmingham Chambers (Jun 2025, https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/resource/mondel-z-international-opens-brand-new-consumer-research-centre-in-bournville.html) - Cadbury World (Fact Sheet, https://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/media/0iag3ico/bournville-factsheet.pdf)