Müller won’t close Hanworth dairy
Müller Milk & Ingredients are planning to reverse the planned closure of the Hanworth dairy, which would have seen 170 jobs lost. Dairy Crest had announced the closure in December prior to Müller’s takeover of Dairy Crest.
Hanworth, which was founded in 1847, was one of the first dairies to introduce pasteurization in 1912.
Müller said the announcement helps secure the future of the traditional British glass milk bottle.
Müller is planning to expand its milk&more doorstep delivery business, which delivers milk and other produce to more than 600,000 homes across the country.
Hanworth Dairy and milk&more were both part of the deal that saw Müller take over Dairy Crest’s dairy operations, and Müller subsequently reviewed both businesses.
Businesses to combine
The result is that the milk&more business, comprising 1,190 milkmen and women, and the Hanworth dairy, will be integrated into a new, single business led by Patrick Müller.
Patrick Müller, head of milk&more, said, “When Müller acquired Dairy Crest’s dairy operations in December we committed to taking measured decisions as quickly as possible to build a sustainable fresh milk business in the UK.
“This was an easy decision to make. milk&more is a great business driven by employees who are talented, committed and passionate about what they do, and the Hanworth Dairy is an integral part of the supply chain for the doorstep delivery business “
Neil Garner, milk&more Milkman of the Year 2016, said, “This is brilliant news! Our customers love fresh milk in glass bottles. For many they are just what the doorstep delivery service is all about and they regard them as being as much of a British institution as the milkmen and women who deliver them. Being a milkman means you are part of the community and it’s a big part of why I love my job.
“Milk has been delivered in glass bottles to homes across the country for over 100 years and I for one am delighted that this great British tradition is to continue.”
