The proposed closure has been designed to coincide with the completion of Arla’s new Arla’s new 1bn litre ‘super dairy’ in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
In anticipation of the closure, which has been scheduled for April 2014, processing duties will be gradually moved from the Ashby-de-la-Zouch plant to the new Aylesbury facility. The phased transfer of raw milk from the Ashby to Aylesbury will begin in October 2013.
“Our new dairy in Aylesbury is on track to be processing milk, commercially, by the autumn and volumes are ahead of our original expectations,” said head of Arla Foods UK’s supply chain, Lars Dalsgaard.
“In line with our long-term business goal, we intend to maximise the use of our well invested dairies, complemented by our new, cutting edge, processing facility in Aylesbury, to meet the requirements of our customers.”