Arla Foods and Milk Link merge to form UK’s largest dairy firm

30-Sep-2012 - Last updated on 01-Oct-2012 at 10:43 GMT

Arla Foods is now the UK's largest dairy firm

Arla Foods and Milk Link have merged to form the UK’s largest dairy firm.

The new merged business will retain the name Arla Foods UK. It will process over 3bn litres of milk per year with a combined turnover in excess of £2bn.

Peter Lauritzen, ceo of the new merged business, said Milk Link farmer members have become the first British owners of a major European dairy cooperative, putting farmers firmly at the forefront of the dairy processing market.

Arla Foods UK now has established market positions in fresh and long life liquid and flavoured milks, cream, Cheddar and speciality cheese, butter and dairy ingredients.

Best of both worlds

Commenting on the new business Peter Lauritzen said: “The integration of the new business will harness the best of both organisations, give rise to a range of incremental growth opportunities and deliver synergy-related savings.

“The process of identifying and maximising these opportunities is underway and is a key focus across the business.”

Arla Foods has invested more than £500M in the UK dairy industry to date and has established some of the country’s most popular dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor.