Simon Baynes MP, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, welcomed Guy Opperman MP, Minister for Employment at the Department for Work and Pensions, to the Mondelēz factory in Chirk on Friday 24th March. The visit was a great opportunity for the Minister to see the inner workings of the factory and meet with the team responsible for creating the much-loved Cadbury chocolate.
During the visit, the Minister had the chance to learn about the intricate process of creating chocolate, from the sourcing of the cocoa beans to the production and packaging of the final product. He also had the opportunity to discuss how the Department for Work and Pensions could support the factory and its staff going forward.
The Mondelēz factory in Chirk is a key part of the local economy, employing hundreds of people on both sides of the Welsh border. The beans are delivered to the Chirk factory from Ghana where they are emptied out onto a conveyor belt and thoroughly cleaned. The beans are then roasted and processed to produce cocoa mass that goes into creating the famous Cadbury chocolate.
Guy Opperman MP commented:
“It was great to visit the chocolate factory in Chirk that creates so much Cadbury with the chocolate bean. My thanks to Phil and the rest of the team, and local MP Simon Baynes, for the chance to offer our help going forward.
“While the end product is chocolate, the factory looks like a sophisticated engineering and logistics business, albeit one employing hundreds of local people both sides of the Welsh border and smelling most definitely of the good stuff! A fascinating visit.”
Simon Baynes MP, who represents the Clwyd South constituency where the factory is located, said:
“I was delighted to welcome Minister Opperman to the Mondelēz factory in Chirk and to show him first-hand the hard work and dedication that goes into producing one of the UK's most beloved chocolate brands. It is an incredibly well-run facility, and the hardworking staff who make it such a success story are a credit to the company.
The Minister's visit is a big boost to these employees and the wider community. I look forward to continuing to work with the Department for Work and Pensions and Mondelēz to ensure the continued success of this important local business. The factory is a vital part of our local economy in Clwyd South, and I am proud to represent a constituency with such a successful and innovative business at its heart.”
