Arla Foods is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its dairy in Lockerbie, Scotland, with a landmark investment of over £144 million aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the UK dairy industry.
Since its opening in 1975, Lockerbie has grown to become one of the largest cheese dairies in the UK. Arla has recently completed a £34 million upgrade of its cheddar production facilities and is now embarking on the establishment of a new centre of excellence for UHT and lactose-free milk. This centre will serve as a hub of knowledge and technology, bringing together Arla’s expertise, research, and production in the field. Around 90 new jobs will be created as a result.
The dairy processes more than 600 million litres of milk annually and produces approximately 42,000 tonnes of cheese. At the same time, a new biogas plant is nearing completion, which will convert by-products from cheese production into renewable energy – enough to heat more than 2,600 British homes.
At the anniversary event on 10 October, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon praised the investment as a key contribution to both the local economy and the sustainable growth of Scotland’s dairy sector.
According to Arla Foods UK Managing Director Bas Padberg, the investment is set to boost innovation, capacity, and employment in British dairy production. Arla farmer and board member Arthur Fearnall added that the initiative will secure the future of the Lockerbie dairy and help maintain a stable milk price for Arla’s farmer owners.
Key figures:
Read more about the anniversary and investment HERE
Photo: Arla Foods UK – from the 50th anniversary celebration and the official opening of the new £34 million cheddar facilities.
By LMW
