Müller Dairy puts 43 jobs at risk in Shropshire
The dairy business has now entered a 30-day consultation period with staff at the site.
The business will work closely with employees who are affected by these proposals during the consultation period to ensure that their views are taken into account, Müller said.
Wherever possible it will work to minimise the impact of the proposed changes.
‘Changing requirements’
Müller Dairy’s operations director Roger Emery said the move was a response to demands to “continually adapt” to changes in the requirements being made of the business.
“We operate in a very competitive environment and it is important that our structure reflects the current and future needs of the business,” he said.
“It is right that we take time to undertake a review which takes into account the views of our employees.”
Müller UK & Ireland by numbers
- 19 sites in UK & Ireland
- 6,000 employees
- 45,000t of butter produced a year at Telford site
- 1,200 British dairy farmers supply milk to the business
After the consultation period is over, the business will work to complete its strategic review before arriving at any decisions, he added.
The move comes after Müller UK & Ireland cut its milk price by 1.75 pence per litre (ppl) to 24.15ppl on March 5, 2015 in a bid to remain competitive.
Widened gap
Müller was forced to make the cut after its decision to hold its milk price for February “widened the gap” between its price and those offered by competitors, it claimed.
Roddy Catto, chairman of the Müller Wiseman Milk Group which represents dairy farmers who supply the company, said he did not welcome price cuts but they were necessary to remain competitive.
“As dairy farmers ourselves, we do not welcome a further reduction in milk price but the board has worked effectively with Müller to ensure that the standard litre price offered from March remains one of the best available,” he said.
