Co-op are opening a new coffin factory

Andy Brown, Head of Service Fulfilment at Co op Funeralcare, shares more about our new coffin factory opening later this year — and the vision behind the site.

What is your role at Co‑op?

Having been with Co-op Funeralcare for 27 years in various roles, I’m now Head of Service Fulfilment and have been since the beginning of the year. I look after our current coffin factory in Glasgow and I’m leading the relocation of the site to the North West later this year. I’m also responsible for tenders and contracts, working closely with coroners, local authorities and the NHS. Alongside that, I have strong relationships with our unions and support a wide range of project work across Funeralcare.

Why was the decision made to relocate and open a new coffin factory?

We made the decision to move the factory for commercial reasons. To keep delivering for families and communities, we need to run our business in a way that’s efficient and cost‑effective. By mapping our UK network and looking at our distribution needs, we identified a location that sits right at the heart of our operation and somewhere that allows us to work more effectively and sustainably.

What makes the new site different?

We wanted to invest in a site that reflects our values and our commitment to doing things the right way. Our new home in Knowsley will use biomass as a renewable energy source, turning wood and sawdust waste into heat for the building. We’ll also have solar panels on the roof and electric vehicle charging points for colleagues. Sustainability has been front and centre throughout the design and we’ve looked at every opportunity to reduce our impact and build a site that’s fit for the future.

What is your vision for the new site?

Quality has to be unquestionable. Our coffin factory plays a vital role in supporting grieving families, and the coffins we make are an important part of every funeral. With around 85,000 coffins produced each year, quality must sit at the heart of everything we do.

We’re building a flexible, supportive team. Colleagues will need to work closely together, help each other out and feel confident moving across different departments and workstations. We want everyone to feel able to speak up, share ideas, challenge behaviours and help us improve. We know we won’t get everything right straight away, and that’s okay. What matters is that colleagues feel empowered to shape how we work and help us innovate.

Our leadership team will mentor, coach and support a multi‑skilled workforce. We want colleagues to learn new skills, grow in their roles and feel proud of the part they play.

And as we settle into Knowsley, we’ll work hand‑in‑hand with our wider Co‑op teams, Funeralcare homes, care centres and logistics depots to get involved in the local community and show who we are as an employer.

When will the new site be opening, and when will you be recruiting?

We expect the site to be handed over in November 2026, with full production by January/February 2027.

We’re in the process of recruiting the Production Manager, who will overall lead and run the site.

In August, we’ll be advertising for a Production Planner, who will play a key role in keeping the operation running smoothly and ensuring work is planned effectively.

Around mid‑September, we’ll begin recruiting Team Leaders and Production Operatives. These colleagues will be central to manufacturing our coffins and supporting Funeralcare homes and care centres across the UK.

Looking ahead

This is genuinely a really exciting project, and relocating our factory to the North West will help us become more efficient, more effective and ready for future growth. With death rates expected to rise, we want to increase our market share and potentially bring more of our production in‑house, creating opportunities for colleagues and strengthening our service for families.

As Co‑op’s only coffin factory in the UK, the site carries real responsibility. But we’re confident it will become a place we’re all proud of — a site that sits right at the heart of Co‑op Funeralcare.

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