Arla said the proposals would not impact fresh milk and cheese production at the site and milk collection from farms would also not be affected.
Site director of the Lockerbie factory Jim Grieve said the company wanted to minimise the impact of the move through a variety of measures.
“We hope to be able to transfer 12 colleagues to other vacant roles at our site, as well as look at whether we can fill vacant positions at other Arla sites, including Westbury,” said Grieve.
‘Voluntary redundancy’
“At the same time, we are considering applications for voluntary redundancy from the site. We are committed to doing everything we can to support our colleagues at this time.”
The proposed move would help the Lockerbie and Westbury sites to focus and develop their relevant dairy production expertise, according to Grieve.
The Lockerbie site will continue to produce Scottish butter and whey butter – a by-product of cheese making produced when cream is separated from whey.
South Scotland member of Scottish parliament Colin Smyth warned any job losses would be a “tragedy” for those affected and the local economy.
‘Tragedy’
“There has been a lot of investment in the plant in recent years and it is hugely important for the many local farmers whose milk goes to the site”, said Smyth.
“But more importantly it is a major employer in the Lockerbie area. If any of the current workforce do have to leave, I will be strongly urging Arla to avoid, at all costs, compulsory redundancies.”
Arla reassured farmers who delivered to the site that they had a “guaranteed home” for their milk by continually investing in the factory. The company confirmed it would build a £14M anaerobic digester facility at Lockerbie in 2017.
Arla said it had invested £25M into the Lockerbie site over the past 10 years.