Dairy Crest to close Isle of Wight operations

UK – Dairy Crest has announced that it intends to close its flavoured milk processing facility at Newport on the Isle of Wight, which could mean the loss of 37 jobs.

The reason for the closure appears to be that it can produce its flavoured milk more cheaply on the UK’s mainland. Costs are high at the moment due to transport to and from the island, and they could be further reduced as spare processing capacity has become available in other plants, the result of declining production of bottled milk.

Commenting on the announcement, Transport and General Workers Union regional industrial organiser Hugh Kirkbride said: “The company has agreed to a full consultation procedure which will involve looking at alternative product lines and other uses for the plant.” The distribution side of Dairy Crest’s Isle of Wight operation, which employs around 45 people, will remain open.