World’s largest fresh milk dairy is officially opened by Secretary of State
Arla Foods, the UK’s number one dairy company and cooperative, revolutionises fresh milk processing.
Arla Aylesbury – milk trolley return & storage area
Today, the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, The Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, officially opened Arla’s £150 million fresh milk processing facility located in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, with a capacity to produce 1.5 million bottles a day.
The dairy, which is the most technologically advanced and efficient of its kind, has the potential to process up to 240,000 litres of milk per hour and one billion litres a year, supplied by around 900 British farmers, the majority of whom are owners of Arla.
The dairy is also setting new environmental standards on a global scale and has a plan to be the first zero carbon facility of its kind. It has already achieved zero waste to landfill and will utilise cutting edge renewable energy opportunities.
Arla Aylesbury – automated guided vehicles in coldstore
Aylesbury represents a significant investment in the UK and is the largest single investment that Arla has made. It will employ up to 700 people, delivering £20 million in wages, much of which will support the local and regional economy. It also supports over 90 apprentices from the area.
Arla is a global dairy company and a cooperative owned by 12,600 dairy farmers, circa 2,800 of whom are British. Arla is the largest dairy company in the UK and is home to leading dairy brands Anchor, Cravendale and Lurpak. It processes 3.5 billion litres of milk a year from British farms into a full range of dairy products.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, said: “Britain’s dairy industry contributes £3.7 billion to our economy and Arla’s new facility, the world’s largest fresh milk dairy, is powering economic growth by creating 700 regional jobs, including 90 apprenticeships. This is a major investment.
He continues: “Our long-term economic plan is working and we want more businesses to invest in the UK.”
Peter Lauritzen, CEO, Arla Foods UK, said: “The size and scale of our new dairy reinforces Arla’s leadership within the UK dairy industry and we have drawn a line in the sand when it comes to next generation fresh milk processing. Aylesbury has taken advantage of previously untapped technologies and an investment of this scale sends a compelling message to our farmer owners, customers and employees that we have made a long-term commitment to the UK.”
David Christensen¹, British farmer owner and an Arla amba Board of Representative, said: “By having the most technologically-advanced milk processing facility in the world on our door step gives Arla a significant advantage in terms of being more efficient in converting raw milk into the finished product. As an owner of Arla this gives me the confidence to invest in my own business, knowing that the demand for my milk will be on-going.”
¹ David Christensen manages Kingston Hill Farm, a family owned farming company operating dairy and beef farming enterprises in the Thames Valley.
