Manchester dairy to close

Arla Foods is today informing employees at its Manchester dairy of its intention to close the dairy and distribution facility at Wythenshawe, Manchester.

The decision to close the dairy and distribution facility is based on Arla's strategy of further enhancing its operational efficiencies across the entire business. Under the proposals, raw milk, currently processed at Manchester, will be transferred to the company's processing facilities at Ashby de la Zouche, Leicestershire, Hatfield Peverel, Essex and Stourton, Leeds.

The closure, to be completed by January 2009, is subject to consultation and would result in the loss of around 300 jobs.

Arla Foods is immediately entering into consultation with its Manchester employees and their representatives.

Maxine Morgan, Business Group Director, HR, at Arla Foods, said today: "We very much regret the need to announce today our proposed plans to close our Manchester site.

"We have informed colleagues affected by our proposal today and are also fully consulting with Trade Union representatives. We are committed to giving full support to affected colleagues to help them find alternative employment both internally and externally of Arla Foods, subject to the consultation process."

Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK’s leading dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor. Processing approximately two billion litres of milk a year Arla continues to be one of the UK’s leading dairy companies and a supplier of fresh liquid milk and cream to the top seven retailers.

Over 2,500 daily deliveries are made directly to stores nationwide and Arla brands can be found across the dairy category. As well as the leader of the butter, spreads and margarine sector, and a major supplier of other added value products including flavoured milk and cheese, Arla continues to build working relationships with Arla Foods Milk Partnership, a unique group of dairy farmers, which supplies around 90 per cent of Arla's total milk requirements.

Behind this leading business is a team of circa 2,800 people across the UK located at our dairies, distribution centres and head office.