McQueens Dairies has revealed an “ambitious” multi-million expansion plan which will see the creation of up to 100 new jobs within two years.
The Scottish milk delivery company acquired the former Muller dairy facility in East Kilbride, allowing for further growth to its doorstep delivery business.
The site, covering 6.5 acres, is expected to open next Spring after it was shut down by Muller in 2016 in a shake-up of its Scottish operations.
The family business funded in 1995 currently operates eight distribution depots in Scotland and northern England, employing around 400 people.
“We’re an ambitious business that delivers milk direct to customers’ doors and want to build on the success we’ve achieved so far,” chairman Mick McQueen said.
“Our success to date has been by focussing on the demand for doorstep delivery both here in Scotland and in the north of England. There is a real growth in the demand for doorstep delivery and we are perfectly placed to respond.”
McQueens’ distribution centre in Glasgow has now reached full capacity leaving the business in need of new facilities to support its growth plans.
Alongside liquid milk, the company will also look at processing orange and apple juice, investing in modern technology facilities such as a new refrigeration plant, pasteurising equipment and a filler line including glass bottles – which the company said have seen a “resurgence” among customers.
McQueens added that its expansion will provide benefits to local farmers, as it will up its raw milk requirements. The company’s raw milk is currently supplied by dairy co-operative First Milk.
McQueens’ revenues rose to £17.6m from £13.0m in the year to July 2018 as it increased customer numbers to 100k. Pretax profits reached £2.6m from £2.2m the year before.
“In the last year we grew turnover by 30% and we expect that increase to be repeated this year so the new dairy in East Kilbride, which is larger than our current dairy, gives us a real platform to maintain that momentum,” McQueen concluded.
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