The investment has seen the site double in size, increasing capacity at the factory to 500m pots of yogurt each year, with the potential for this to rise to 700m pots in the future.
Müller said the factory expansion was in response to growing consumer demand for branded and own-label yogurts made with milk from British farms.
The Telford expansion included the installation of three new “state-of-the-art” production lines, the modernisation of three existing lines, the installation of an energy-efficient cooling facility and a new automated high bay warehouse.
Reducing dependence on imported yogurt
Bergen Merey, managing director at Müller Yogurt & Desserts, said the dairy processor’s work in Telford was a step towards reducing the UK’s dependence on imported yogurt products, while presenting the company with a “significant competitive advantage”.
“We have acted to enable us to increase our share of both the private-label and branded yogurt category,” said Merey. “We intend to leverage our greater capabilities to support the growth of our private-label business while we continue to innovate and drive our core branded products like Müller Light and Müller Corner.
“As a result of this investment, Müller customers will benefit from increased levels of innovation, choice and capabilities to make healthy, great-tasting yogurt products made in Britain with milk from British farms.”
Müller also operates two seperate yogurt and chilled desserts manufacturing sites in Market Drayton and Minsterley.
Jobs losses for Müller
The announcement of Müller’s completed investment in Telford came two months after it revealed plans to close its Foston plant in South Derbyshire, putting the jobs of 200 workers at risk.
Meanwhile, last month saw Scottish dairy producer McQueens purchase the former Müller factory in East Kilbride as part of a multi-million-pound expansion plan that included 100 new jobs in two years.
The 26,300m2 East Kilbride site, which is expected to open in spring 2020, would allow the business to accelerate its growth aspirations in doorstep deliveries, McQueens said.
