Milk Link makes strong progress in recruitment of farmers for expanding Lockerbie creamery

Milk Link is pleased to be able to confirm that it has now recruited over 40% of the milk it requires for the expansion of its Lockerbie Creamery. This securing of c.50 million litres of additional milk on a long term basis means that the business is ahead of its recruitment targets, both in volume and timing, as it builds up increased milk supplies in advance of the new cheese facility going operational at the end of 2012.

In addition, Milk Link is currently following up over 255 enquiries from farmers based across the UK seeking further information on the benefits of supplying it. Of these, some 105 were generated from Milk Link’s successful attendance at last week’s AgriScot event.

The recruitment campaign relates to the Milk Link’s major 20 million investment to transform its Lockerbie Creamery which when complete will enhance both its capacity and capabilities and make it the largest dairy processing facility in Scotland. The site will benefit from a major redevelopment with the installation of the latest processing technology increasing annualised production by 12,000 tonnes to over 37,000 tonnes of cheese per annum.

Commenting on the recruitment campaign Shelagh Hancock, Director of Milk Link’s Milk business unit, said: “We have been delighted with the positive response we’ve had to our Lockerbie Creamery recruitment campaign and to date we have signed up some 50 million litres of milk on either Membership or long term direct supply contracts. Clearly the dairy farmers we are speaking to are attracted by the competitive milk price we are offering, but also by the opportunity to be part of a strong and forward looking farmer owned co-operative and the long term security that a well invested processing facility such as Lockerbie will offer them.”

Milk Link is currently recruiting milk for its expanding Lockerbie Creamery and to meet the growing demand for products made at its other dairy processing facilities located across the UK. Farmers interested in finding pout more about the benefits of supplying Milk Link can ring the recruitment hotline on 01752 331881.