Arla’s giant Aylesbury dairy opens doors

The facility can process up to 240,000 litres of milk an hour and one billion litres a year, supplied by 900 British farmers, the majority of whom are owners of Arla.

The dairy is also designed to set new environmental standards on a global scale and has a plan to be the first facility of its kind to generate zero greenhouse gas emissions. It has already achieved zero waste to landfill and will harness renewable energy opportunities. It supports more than 90 apprentices from the local area.

‘Previously untapped technologies’​

“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,”​ said Peter Lauritzen, ceo, Arla Foods UK.

Secretary of state for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Owen Paterson, who attended the opening, said: “Britain’s dairy industry contributes £3.7bn 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.”​

Arla first announced plans to build the mega-dairy in November 2009 and revealed the location in September 2010​. Construction began at the site, which stretches over 70 acres, in February 2012​.

Leading dairy brands​

Arla is a global dairy company and a cooperative owned by 12,600 dairy farmers, about 2,800 of whom are British. It is the largest dairy company active in the UK and is home to leading dairy brands Anchor, Cravendale and Lurpak.

The dairy giant processes 3.5bn litres of milk a year from British farms into a full range of dairy products and boasts a turnover of £2.2bn. It has production facilities in 11 countries and is the world’s sixth largest dairy company and largest supplier of organic dairy products.

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