News -
Müller Wiseman Dairies confirms decision to close Keith and Whitburn depots
Fresh milk processor Müller Wiseman Dairies has confirmed that it is to wind down its depot operations at Keith and Whitburn, with closure of the sites expected before the end of the year.
The decision, prompted by significant reductions in the number of delivery runs from each site, affects 23 posts at Keith and 116 posts at Whitburn and follows a strategic review and formal 45 day consultation process.
Distribution will gradually be transferred to depots in Aberdeen and Cambuslang, where at least 81 new posts will be created (a minimum of 13 posts in Aberdeen and 68 at Cambuslang).
Where opportunities exist, Müller Wiseman Dairies will ensure that posts are offered to colleagues from Keith and Whitburn who wish to transfer, with initial incentives put in place to compensate for extra travel to work costs.
Carl Ravenhall, Managing Director at Müller Wiseman Dairies said:
“Employees, management and unions worked extremely hard to find ways of addressing the challenges facing these depots, but we have been unable to establish an economic basis for continuing to distribute milk from Keith or Whitburn.
“We very much regret the impact that this decision will have on these areas but we have to adapt to changes in the way that fresh milk is being distributed. It is our hope that colleagues based at Keith and Whitburn will consider taking up positions which will be created in Aberdeen and Cambuslang.”
Ends… 31 July 2013
Note to Editors:
Müller UK & Ireland Group
The Müller UK & Ireland Group is wholly owned by the Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller. It has 21 sites nationwide and employs around 6,000 people across 3 businesses; Müller Dairy, Müller Wiseman Dairies and Müller Minsterley.
Müller Dairy is based in Market Drayton and is the UK’s leading yogurt manufacturer, with major brands such as Müller Corner, Müllerlight and Müller Rice. Müller Wiseman Dairies processes and delivers almost a third of the fresh milk consumed in Britain every day and is famous for its black & white cow-print branding.
The most recent addition to the group is Müller Minsterley, the chilled desserts facility near Shrewsbury at which the Cadbury chilled desserts, including Cadbury Mousse, Trifle and twin-pot products, are made, which Müller sells under an exclusive licence from Cadbury.
The group has announced a £17m investment to build the UK’s largest butter plant at Market Drayton to be commissioned by Autumn 2013.
