Cargill targets local sourcing and pest management

Converting the cornmill at its Trafford Park plant from maize to wheat processing will improve pest control and allow more ingredients to be sourced locally, Cargill has claimed.

The conversion means that the Cargill plant can source around 90% of its raw materials from the UK - a positive step for manufacturers, many of which are keen to use local ingredients. “The decision was based largely on a combination of cost efficiency and Cargill’s commitment to meeting the changing demands of its customers,” said the firm.

Moving to wheat has also allowed the firm to reduce pest problems. “Pigeons [eating grain] are a constant pain,” said plant manager Neil Barker. “Any grain company will have the potential for bird problems. We’ve brought in Harris hawks to scare them, but it’s a little bit like the wildebeest of the Serengeti. They pretty much know that once the hawk has caught one, they’re safe for the day!”

However, the company’s decision to source wheat from the UK, instead of maize from abroad, means that raw materials will now be delivered to the factory by trucks and unloaded using a vacuum system - they were previously unloaded from cargo boats on the local canal. This would virtually eliminate the pigeons’ access to the grain, explained general manager Martin Douglas.

The site, which produces glucose syrup and vital wheat gluten for the food industry, is due to have its official opening in a few weeks’ time and is currently taking bids to see if it is financially viable to build a water treatment plant in place of its old corn mill.