Historic Arla Melton Mowbray Creamery Faces Uncertain Future
Source: The DairyNews
Arla Foods, the dairy company, has announced a strategic review of its historic Melton Mowbray Creamery, locally known as Tuxford & Tebbutt, raising concerns about the future of dozens of jobs at the Thorpe End-based facility.
The creamery, which has been producing cheese since 1780, is currently under threat as Arla explores options, including finding a buyer for the site.
While the company reassures that the creamery will remain operational during this uncertain period, it acknowledges the potential impact on the 60 employees currently working at the facility. Arla is committed to supporting its workforce through the changes and maintaining normal operations, ensuring no disruptions to production or customer commitments.
Fran Ball, VP of production at Arla Foods, explained, "Over the last few years, the speciality cheese market in the UK, which includes Stilton, has continued to decline, and as a farmer-owned cooperative, we are therefore looking at what this means for our business so we can continue to return a fair price back to our 2,000 UK farmer owners."
Arla Foods, owned by around 8,492 dairy farmers globally, with approximately 2,053 in the UK, plans to provide an update on the strategic review by April 2024. The cooperative, known for its brands such as Arla, Lurpak, and Castello, emphasizes its commitment to navigating industry challenges while supporting its farmer owners and maintaining business sustainability.
While the company reassures that the creamery will remain operational during this uncertain period, it acknowledges the potential impact on the 60 employees currently working at the facility. Arla is committed to supporting its workforce through the changes and maintaining normal operations, ensuring no disruptions to production or customer commitments.
Fran Ball, VP of production at Arla Foods, explained, "Over the last few years, the speciality cheese market in the UK, which includes Stilton, has continued to decline, and as a farmer-owned cooperative, we are therefore looking at what this means for our business so we can continue to return a fair price back to our 2,000 UK farmer owners."
Arla Foods, owned by around 8,492 dairy farmers globally, with approximately 2,053 in the UK, plans to provide an update on the strategic review by April 2024. The cooperative, known for its brands such as Arla, Lurpak, and Castello, emphasizes its commitment to navigating industry challenges while supporting its farmer owners and maintaining business sustainability.
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