The investment will secure the existing 95 jobs at Medina-owned Watson’s Dairy, with the new roles created within the next six months.
The site will now process milk from 96 local dairy farmers, allowing Medina to supply a greater number of retailers.
Medina will use the investment to install a new filling line, an automatic trolley packing system and additional milk and cream silos. It also planned to grow sales of its Watson’s branded milk.
Expand Medina’s capacity
The investment – due to be completed by the end of the spring – will expand Medina’s capacity in the south east of England and complement its recent fresh milk supply contracts with retailers Sainsbury and Iceland.
Medina md Mike Sheldon said the investment at Watson’s would enhance its ability to be a credible and competitive supplier of fresh milk and cream to major retailers.
“It will enable us to deliver greater operational flexibility and efficiencies, enhanced product segregation capabilities, and improved levels of customer service,” he added.
“Medina has already made strong progress winning major fresh milk supply contracts with the likes of Iceland Foods and Sainsbury, and this latest investment I believe will enhance our offer to both existing and new customers.”
‘Already made strong progress’
Sheldon joined the company last month, after spending 23 years at Dairy Crest in a number of management roles.
Established in 1992 by Sardar Hussain and his family, Medina supplies branded and own-label milk to 5,000 locations across the retail, wholesale and foodservice sectors. The Watson’s Dairy processes about 100Ml of milk a year.
Medina was awarded a contract to supply fresh milk and cream to Sainsbury in May last year, which will commence from July 2017. It will see Medina process fresh milk and cream at the Watson’s Dairy to Sainsbury’s stores in the south of England.