Sweet result: how Mondelez invested in Cadbury's factory

Synopsis

Cadbury has made chocolate in Bournville since 1879, serving as a model of enlightened capitalism during the Victorian era. The factory is now owned by Mondelez International, which acquired Cadbury in a highly contested takeover for 11.5 billion pounds in 2010. Initially, there were concerns that Mondelez, previously known as Kraft Foods, would shut down the Bournville plant and relocate production. However, the company has reinvested significantly, including a 75 million pound investment program that has increased production capacity and established a global chocolate research and development center at the site. Currently, one of the 23 production lines at Bournville produces a million Cadbury Dairy Milk bars daily. Despite these advancements, local sentiments reflect concerns over job security, as automation has reduced the workforce, leading to early retirements and redundancies. Business owners like Julie Davis express that the changes brought by Mondelez have impacted local commerce, with many workers leaving for other employment opportunities.