Arla Foods to close its milk processing plant in Essex, UK

International dairy company Arla Foods has planned to shut down its fresh milk processing production facilities at Hatfield Peverel in Essex, UK.

The company has decided the end as the potential date for closure resulting into a loss or relocation of nearly 200 jobs.

A bulk of the plant’s milk processing will be done by the company’s Aylesbury facility that processes about a billion litres of milk every year.

Having the capacity to process 356,000l of milk each day, Hatfield Peverel produces milk for Arla Cravendale and Arla Big Milk brands, as well as own-label fresh and organic milk for retailers.

Under the proposal, the closure of the Hatfield Peverel plant will see the transfer of about 32 affected employees to Bidvest Logistics through a phased process.

Arla Foods UK Supply Chain senior vice president Dan Kolding said: "As a farmer-owned dairy company, our mission is to return the highest value for our farmers’ milk, creating opportunities for growth.

"The development of Aylesbury is helping us to deliver this vision in the UK, as the dairy approaches capacity.

"We are entering into full consultation with all colleagues affected by both proposals and their trade union representatives.

"We are committed to supporting our colleagues at this difficult time and will do everything we can to support colleagues in their search for suitable alternative employment either within Arla or elsewhere."

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Image: Arla’s Hatfield Peverel plant has the capacity to process 356,000l of milk each day. Photo: courtesy of Arla.