Cheshire West: Roberts Bakery to build new factory

In what the 130-year-old family firm calls ‘its most important operational overhaul in decades’, manufacture of its Little Treats biscuit range will be moved to Winsford.

The announcement comes after the Northwich-based business secured an £18 million cash injection, part of which will be used to fast-track a new robotic manufacturing system at the new Winsford factory.

Existing plant equipment will be moved across to the new site, which will also provide storage capacity for finished products and raw materials.

Roberts Bakery managing director, Bill Thurston (Image: Roberts)

Shifting biscuit production to Winsford will also allow Roberts to rebuild two of its bread bakeries and improve the operational layout at its HQ site in Rudheath, which will become a 'centre of excellence' for bread.

Roberts has been a major employer in Northwich for generations.

This latest move is expected to ensure job security for all employees across the old and new sites, according to a spokesman for the firm.  

They say the aim is to create a ‘centre of excellence’ for biscuit production at Winsford, delivering ‘a positive future in line with the company’s ambitions’.

Roberts managing director, Bill Thurston, said: “This is a significant investment plan which will allow us to rebuild and revitalise the company and make sure it is fit for the future.

“The business has shown terrific resilience in recent months, and we are indebted to the Roberts family, financial backers, key stakeholders, and our people who believe in this brand.”

Roberts has a turnover in excess of £90 million, employs 730 people, and serves a mix of national branded retail, own-label, food-to-go, and food service customers.

The company also has a factory in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, which focuses on artisan and specialised bread products.

Mr Thurston added: “Now is the time for a new chapter in our 130-year history.”