Muller buys ailing county creamery in £4.3m deal

Shropshire dairy giant Muller is buying an ailing county creamery for £4.3 million in a bid to to revive its fortunes, the company announced today.

Market Drayton-based Muller is buying the Uniq dairy at Minsterley and taking on the site's 80 workers.

Earlier this year the creamery – which has produced yoghurt and desserts for more than 100 years – laid off 350 jobs as Uniq scaled back its operation.

Muller says it hopes to create jobs in the future after taking over production of mousse and trifles made under licence for Cadbury.

The move, which sees Muller buy the plant from M&S sandwich maker Greencore, comes months after it also bought fresh milk producer Robert Wiseman Dairies.

Corporate communications director Graeme Jack said: "We are purchasing the site with the intention of growing our presence in the chilled desserts market, and that should lead to opportunities at the site in the future. It's a positive move not just for Muller but for the people that work in Minsterley."

Ronald Kers, chief executive of Muller UK & Ireland Group, added: "This acquisition gives us the opportunity to further develop Cadbury brand's presence as part of our portfolio, and bring affordable luxury to the category. We are delighted to reach this agreement with Greencore and look forward to working with the team at Minsterley."

Muller takes ownership of the facility next January.