Arla Foods, the UK's largest dairy cooperative, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Lockerbie factory by announcing a major investment plan worth over £144 million. The program includes modernizing the cheddar department, creating a new Center of Excellence for UHT and LactoFREE milk and the construction of a new-generation anaerobic digestion plant.
Opened in 1975, the Lockerbie plant is now one of the largest cheese production sites in the UK, processing over 600 million litres of milk each year, producing 200 million litres of fresh bottled milk and 42.000 tonnes of cheese. Fran Ball, SVP Supply Chain UK at Arla Foods, commented: “This anniversary marks a turning point. With the £34 million investment in cheddar and the launch of the Center of Excellence UHT and LactoFREE, we are ushering in a new era for Lockerbie, with 90 new jobs and new opportunities for the local community.”
Mairi Gougeon, Scotland's Minister for Rural Affairs, spoke at the inauguration of the new cheddar building: "This investment strengthens the local economy, enhances the £560 million dairy sector, and demonstrates that growth and sustainability can go hand in hand." The project also includes a second biogas plant capable of converting dairy waste into renewable energy, enough to power over 2.600 homes. Bas Padberg, managing director of Arla Foods UK, emphasized: "Investing in Lockerbie means strengthening the backbone of British dairy farming, promoting innovation, skilled employment, and access to nutritious and sustainable products." Arthur Fearnall, dairy farmer and Arla UK board member, concluded: "We look to the future with pride, keeping the cheddar tradition alive and providing value to our dairy members."
