After announcing its intentions to acquire Dairy Crest in 2014, dairy giant, Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller has announced it has finalized the acquisition of the UK’s Dairy Crest dairy business on December 26, 2015. Under the structure of the deal, the operations of Müller Wiseman Dairies and those of Dairy Crest will be combined into a new entity to be known as Müller Milk & Ingredients.

 

“With this transaction now concluded we have the opportunity, together with our colleagues, customers, farmers and suppliers, to build on our progress in the UK and create an exciting new future for our dairy business,” said Müller Group chief executive, Ronald Kers, according to The Cattle Site.

 

Riding the wave of change, Müller has also decided that it is the right time to rename its Müller Dairy yogurt and chilled dessert business as Müller Yogurt & Desserts. Commenting on the change, group managing director, Bergen Merey explains, “Our branded and private label yogurt and desserts business continues to develop strongly at our production sites in Market Drayton, Ministerley, and Telford. We’ve got great plans for 2016 and its makes sense to rename the business to reflect the products which we are proud to make.”

 

The transaction is transformational for not only Dairy Crest but for the whole UK dairy sector as well. Mark Allen, chief executive of Dairy Crest adds, “We are delighted that the sale has successfully completed. This is a transformational moment for Dairy Crest and the wider dairy industry and helps bring much needed stability to the UK dairy sector…,” according to New Food.

 

Employees, as well as customers, farmers and suppliers, will have access to information regarding the plans going forward for the new organization through on-site meetings, home mailings, and a dedicated online informational portal.