Arla to invest £37.5m in UK dairy sites

Arla invests a further £37.5 million in its UK sites and logistics
Arla invests a further £37.5 million in its UK sites and logistics

Dairy organisation Arla Foods is planning to invest approximately £37.5 million in its UK sites and logistics in 2017, an increase of 51 per cent from 2016.

This ambition is part of the company’s global strategy for growth. Arla hopes it will position the company as the 'champion of British dairy.'

The figure is part of the £285 million investment Arla expects to make at its sites around the world.

It will support its global Strategy 2020 by moving more milk from bulk into branded, own label and foodservice sales.

The overall investment forecast is nearly a 50 per cent increase compared to last year (£192m in 2016) and one of the highest ever single-year supply chain investment in the company's history.

The £37.5 million will be spread across all its thirteen UK production, packing and distribution sites as well its logistics operation.

Projects included

Taw Valley creamery, in Devon, will see £5m to further develop its capacity.

£5m at Stourton dairy, in Leeds, will see a number of projects that will include a new packing facility that will allow it to increase production.

A significant proportion of the £3.5m at Arla’s fresh milk processing site in Aylesbury will go on new processing equipment.

The Westbury operation in Wiltshire will see £3m spent on supporting facilities to ensure continuous product production during planned essential maintenance.