32
DEALMAKERS
IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
By Ged Henderson
WILL MILK DEAL GO SOUR?
The trend of Lancashire businesses being targeted by larger, overseas companies continues to gather pace, with the county’s food sector the latest to witness a high- profile deal.
Major milk processor Müller, headquartered in Bavaria, Germany, and a household brand with operations across Europe, announced this summer its planned acquisition of Skelmersdale based Yew Tree Dairy for an undisclosed sum.
The family-owned dairy business, a former Lancashire Business View Hot 100 company, produces fresh milk and cream and, following significant investment in recent years, specialises in milk powder production.
Müller, which is also a family business, aims to use those production capabilities to grow its exports, drive supply chain resilience and “secure a positive future for the British dairy industry”.
However, the deal has still to get the official go- ahead. At the end of August, it was announced the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had launched a merger inquiry into the acquisition.
It will consider if the merger could result in a “substantial lessening of competition for goods or services across the UK”. The CMA has invited comments from interested parties to help with its inquiry.
Müller has said it plans to “significantly invest in
the capacity and capabilities of the Skelmersdale milk drying site” if the deal gets the go-ahead.
In a statement announcing the proposed deal, Müller said: “Tapping into internal expertise and experience from across the Müller group, the business will enhance its milk drying capability, enabling it to become a major producer and exporter of powdered milk products made in Britain, with milk from British dairy farms.
“The acquisition will benefit customers, consumers, suppliers and employees of both businesses, while offering supplying farmers enhanced opportunities and long-term security.”
Yew Tree Dairy can trace its roots back to the
family are very proud of the dairy business we have built and are looking forward to seeing the progression and development by Müller of the Skelmersdale operation.
“The family felt the time was right to explore new opportunities whilst retaining our farming roots.
“We would like to thank all who have been involved in the Yew Tree Dairy business over the years. Our success is in no small part due to our dedicated staff, farmers and customers that have been part of our journey.
“After meeting with the Müller family, we feel confident that this is the right decision for the
The key for us was to find a buyer that not only
shared our values but had an exciting vision of the future of the great British dairy industry
early 1900s. Its Skelmersdale production site was opened in 2010 to support the company’s continuing development.
It uses state-of-the-art technology, which can process large volumes every day, producing different types of milk and cream for the UK market and a wide range of powdered milk for national and international markets.
Carl Woodcock, from Yew Tree Dairy, said at the time of the sale announcement: “We as a
business to be part of a larger organisation for the next phase of growth that will benefit our staff, farmers, and customers in the longer term.
“The key for us was to find a buyer that not only shared our values but had an exciting vision for the future of the great British dairy industry.
“Following a competitive process, Müller was our clear preference, and we leave our business in really good hands.”
In the UK, Müller develops, manufactures
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
