Creamery to be updated with £179m as it targets global mozeralla market
ADEVON creamery will create more than 100 jobs as bosses aim to become a “major player in the global mozzarella market”.
Arla Foods, owner of Taw Valley Creamery, says it will invest more than £179 million into the facility.
It will see the North Tawton creamery updated with state-of-the-art technology, which Arla says will enable the business to be able to export mozzarella around the world in the next three years.
If planning permission is granted, it said work will begin “immediately”.
A public consultation is due to take place on the proposals.
If the plans are given the go ahead, the creamery would be exporting mozzarella by 2027.
Bas Padberg, managing director of Arla Foods UK, said: “It has been 50 years since the now King opened Taw Valley Creamery in Devon, and we’re proud to be announcing our plans to invest in this site, and bring more jobs to the local area. Not only is this great news for the region, but this investment signals our desire to become a major player within the global mozzarella market.
“To do this we need to invest in new technology, which is why we want to make major upgrades and changes to Taw Valley Creamery, so we can sell our mozzarella globally, from the UK.
“Exporting our product helps to increase the value of farmers’ milk, which will therefore benefit our farmer owners, here in the UK. As one of the biggest food companies in the UK, it is only natural that we look for further opportunities to grow so we can continue to return a fair price back to our farmer owners.
“Today is a momentous occasion for our UK business, and we are so proud to be announcing this news to our farmer owners, colleagues and customers.
“As one of the biggest food companies in the UK, it is only natural that we look for further opportunities to grow so we can continue to return a fair price back to our farmer owners. We want to continue to increase the value of our farmer owners’ milk, which we believe can be achieved through exploring further export opportunities.”
Arla Foods UK board director, and Arla farmer, Arthur Fearnall said: “We are incredibly proud to see the UK business receive this significant investment. We’re excited to see how the plans at Taw Valley Creamery progress over the coming years, as we continue to work together to ensure all Arla farmer owners receive the best price for their milk.”
More details of the public consultation are due to be announced in the next month.