Following the completion of its acquisition of competitor Dairy Crest on Boxing Day, milk processor Müller will divide its operations.

On Monday, Müller executives said the new business created from the merger of Müller Wiseman Dairies and Dairy Crest could play a major role in invigorating and revitalising the UK’s fresh milk and dairy ingredients sector.

Müller, which is the UK’s leading producer of yoghurts, is set to re-name the yoghurt and deserts side of its business Müller Yogurt & Desserts. This division is based in Shropshire. The milk processing business acquired in the 2012 merger with Robert Wiseman Dairies and last year’s Dairy Crest buyout will be called Müller Milk & Ingredients.

Commenting on Monday (4th January), Andrew McInnes, managing director of Müller’s Milk & Ingredients business said, “We have the opportunity to build something special in the UK dairy industry with real benefits for customers, colleagues, farmers and suppliers.”

He continued, “It is important to recognise that the status quo, particularly within the fresh milk sector, was not working and we must therefore identify and make the changes and savings required to build a combined business which is sustainable, successful and vibrant. We will listen to our colleagues, customers, farmers and suppliers so that we can validate and refine our plans and estimates based on accurate information.

“Our aim is to become a successful milk and ingredients business as quickly as possible. To do this we will prioritise the delivery of great products and service, building an engaged workforce, putting in place common systems and processes, and achieving higher levels of competitiveness through savings from combining the two businesses.”

On 29th December, Dairy Crest CEO Mark Allen said the merger, which now leaves just two major players in Britain’s dairy industry, would “[Help] bring much needed stability to the UK dairy sector.”  

The new Milk and Ingredients organisation created from the Müller - Dairy Crest merger will employ 8,000 people, with over 2,000 farmers contracted to supply the business. It will process 25 percent of Britain’s milk production.

Farmers and suppliers will be contacted with new information on the company in due course, Muller execs have said.