Arla Boosts UK Dairy Production with Additional £300m Investment in Factory Upgrades
Source: The DairyNews
Arla Foods has committed to a substantial additional investment in its UK manufacturing facilities, bringing its total capital expenditure on factory upgrades to £300 million for this year.
Announced in advance of today’s UK Farm to Fork Summit at 10 Downing Street, the dairy cooperative revealed plans to enhance and expand operations at four key sites: Lockerbie, Stourton, Aylesbury, and Westbury.
This new financial injection is intended to modernize Arla’s dairies and creameries, fostering increased production of British milk and cheese. The announcement follows a significant £179 million investment in March at the Taw Valley site in Devon, positioning it as a leading player in the global mozzarella market.
The breakdown of Arla’s latest investments includes £65 million allocated to the Stourton facility for expanding extended shelf life milk capabilities, particularly for the Cravendale and B.O.B brands, as well as introducing milk packaging in cardboard cartons. Lockerbie Creamery will receive £34 million for new technology and upgrades to enhance cheddar production. Westbury will benefit from a £15 million investment aimed at improving its effluent treatment plant and powder dryer. Additionally, the Aylesbury factory will gain £8 million for advanced automated box packing capabilities, offering greater packaging flexibility for customers.
With nine production sites across the UK, Arla continues to strengthen its manufacturing footprint. Bas Padberg, Managing Director of Arla Foods UK, emphasized that this investment underscores the commitment of Arla’s farmer owners to UK food security by supporting both milk production and facility enhancements.
Fran Ball, Arla’s VP for Production, highlighted that these investments are crucial for keeping the UK at the forefront of dairy production, ensuring the availability of popular dairy products on supermarket shelves. This comprehensive upgrade strategy not only boosts Arla’s production capabilities but also aligns with its goal of maintaining a robust food supply chain and providing fair returns to its farmer owners.
In summary, Arla’s ongoing investments reflect its dedication to sustaining and growing its UK operations, ultimately contributing to the nation’s food security and the prosperity of its farming community.
This new financial injection is intended to modernize Arla’s dairies and creameries, fostering increased production of British milk and cheese. The announcement follows a significant £179 million investment in March at the Taw Valley site in Devon, positioning it as a leading player in the global mozzarella market.
The breakdown of Arla’s latest investments includes £65 million allocated to the Stourton facility for expanding extended shelf life milk capabilities, particularly for the Cravendale and B.O.B brands, as well as introducing milk packaging in cardboard cartons. Lockerbie Creamery will receive £34 million for new technology and upgrades to enhance cheddar production. Westbury will benefit from a £15 million investment aimed at improving its effluent treatment plant and powder dryer. Additionally, the Aylesbury factory will gain £8 million for advanced automated box packing capabilities, offering greater packaging flexibility for customers.
With nine production sites across the UK, Arla continues to strengthen its manufacturing footprint. Bas Padberg, Managing Director of Arla Foods UK, emphasized that this investment underscores the commitment of Arla’s farmer owners to UK food security by supporting both milk production and facility enhancements.
Fran Ball, Arla’s VP for Production, highlighted that these investments are crucial for keeping the UK at the forefront of dairy production, ensuring the availability of popular dairy products on supermarket shelves. This comprehensive upgrade strategy not only boosts Arla’s production capabilities but also aligns with its goal of maintaining a robust food supply chain and providing fair returns to its farmer owners.
In summary, Arla’s ongoing investments reflect its dedication to sustaining and growing its UK operations, ultimately contributing to the nation’s food security and the prosperity of its farming community.
