Saputo plans to shutter a UK dairy facility in the north of England in the wake of another site closure in the south of the country.
The UK division of the Canada-headquartered business said it has started discussions with staff at its plant in the village of Kirkby Malzeard, located in Harrogate in North Yorkshire, where the Wensleydale cheese brand is produced.
If the closure plans go ahead, production will shift to Saputo’s dairy factory in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, where a “major investment” has recently been completed, the local subsidiary confirmed in a statement.
In 2023, Saputo Dairy UK announced it also planned to shutter its factory in Frome, Somerset, in south-west England, a move that would impact 170 workers. Production was also to be relocated to the Nuneaton facility, where 180 jobs were expected to be created on the back of the investment.
In the statement provided to Just Food, Saputo confirmed that site ceased operations in May last year.
Asked for clarification on how many workers were likely to lose their jobs at Kirkby Malzeard, Saputo said the number amounted to around 80, with the closure slated for July this year should the plans go ahead.
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles
on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Company Profile – free
sample
Your download email will arrive shortly
We are confident about the
unique
quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most
beneficial
decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by
submitting the below form
By GlobalData
“If this proposal goes ahead, the facility in Kirkby Malzeard will be closed and new roles will be created in Nuneaton. At this stage, no decisions have been made and employee consultation on this proposal will begin shortly,” Saputo said.
Saputo, meanwhile, emphasised its commitment to another Wensleydale cheese facility and its onsite creamery in Hawes, also in North Yorkshire.
“We remain committed to producing cheese in Hawes, and both the Wensleydale Creamery and our onsite visitor centre will continue to operate as usual. This proposal has no impact on our supplying farms,” the statement read.
It added: “We believe that relocating this operation is right for the long-term future of the business as we maintain our efforts to pursue further efficiencies, reduce costs and manufacture products of the highest quality.
“SDUK will ensure the support of all employees who may be affected by these proposed changes.”
The Canadian dairy major has been restructuring its global operations, with the closure of factories in Australia and the US.
In September, the company confirmed its plans to close its King Island Dairy operation in Australia by mid-2025, impacting 58 employees.
In June, Saputo gave further details on its plans to shut down six of its US facilities, two of which had already ceased operations, located in Belmont, Wisconsin, and Big Stone, South Dakota.
The other four were earmarked for closure sometime in the early part of this year – two in Wisconsin at Lancaster and Greenbay, and a pair of facilities in California located in Tulare and South Gate.
Later in September, Edward Smolyansky, a major Lifeway Foods shareholder, acquired the Belmont plant.
