Last summer marked the announcement of significant investment initiatives for the Skelmersdale site, coming shortly after Müller’s acquisition of Yew Tree Dairy in October 2024.
The £45 million investment aims to enhance Müller’s capacity and capabilities, reinforcing Skelmersdale’s role as one of the largest and most adaptable milk balancing facilities in the UK. This aligns with ongoing trends in the food and beverage industry, focusing on efficiency and innovation.
As Müller aspires to establish a leading milk drying and dairy ingredients site, it has confirmed plans to develop an in-house logistics hub at Skelmersdale. This hub will facilitate the operation of up to 65 milk collection vehicles, optimizing the daily collection of raw milk from local farms.
With the logistics hub’s construction, Müller plans to create up to 90 new roles, including drivers, driver trainees, vehicle technicians, and logistics support positions. This is in line with evolving food distribution trends and the need for a streamlined supply chain.
Roles at Risk
Nevertheless, the company is also exploring moving fresh milk and cream production from Skelmersdale to other locations within its existing UK network. Consequently, Müller has initiated a collective consultation at Skelmersdale to evaluate future operational requirements.
This review could place up to 90 roles at risk of redundancy, while simultaneously positioning the site as a center for excellence in milk balancing, aligning with current food processing technology and practices.
Müller aims to identify potential opportunities for skill redeployment across its wider network as part of this proposal, reflecting its commitment to employee development and adaptation in light of food and drink sustainability trends.
The company has stated it “will approach the consultation in an open and constructive manner, with a commitment to understanding the views of colleagues”, ensuring that all available options are “evaluated thoroughly before making any decisions.”
Rob Hutchison, CEO of Müller Milk & Ingredients, commented: “We’re investing in a flagship facility that will set new standards for milk drying, dairy ingredients products, and logistics, creating a bright future for Müller Skelmersdale.
“Our investment will lead to better service and quality for our customers at home and abroad, along with new opportunities for local people.
“Change is never easy, and consultations can be unsettling. We take this process seriously and will carefully consider every option before making decisions.
“We’re confident in the plans underway and the future developments we’re working on at Müller Skelmersdale—initiatives that will strengthen our position and deliver benefits across the entire dairy supply chain. We are creating long-term and highly-skilled local job opportunities and putting Skelmersdale firmly on the map as a key player in the UK dairy industry.”
