Dairy giant hails completion of £15m upgrade to Bellshill site

Dairy giant Müller has celebrated the completion of a £15 million project it says marks the largest single investment in Scottish dairy processing for more than a decade.

The group welcomed athlete Eilidh Doyle, with the Scottish 400-metre hurdles record holder and multiple medallist paying a visit to the Bellshill site to mark the end of the three-year venture.

The substantial upgrade by Müller Milk & Ingredients, a partner of British Athletics, secured 265 jobs and boosted the site’s capacity to process more than 370 million litres of fresh milk and cream annually.

Müller’s programme involved the closure of sites in Aberdeen and East Kilbride during the transition period, leading to the loss of 225 jobs.

Bellshill, which the Müller calls “Scotland’s largest fresh milk dairy”, partners with 230 Scottish dairy farmers.

It is also the only Scottish dairy with the ability to manufacture milk bottles on site, which are 100 per cent lightweighted and recyclable, the group said.

Patrick Müller, chief executive at Müller Milk & Ingredients, added: “It’s clear that in terms of profitability, the fresh milk sector has reached a tipping point. Change is required because if processing goes, it’s gone forever.

“We are confident that Müller will succeed in this environment because we are well invested, progressive and efficient.” 0 Eilidh Doyle’s visit marked the end of the three-year plan