Long Clawson Dairy is to buy Dairy Crest’s Stilton and speciality cheese business, including its Hartington Creamery, in a £3.5m deal that makes it the largest Stilton manufacturer in the country.
The deal, which marks Dairy Crest’s exit from the Stilton market, remains conditional upon employee consultation. But if it does go through, as expected, it is likely to result in full or partial closure of the Hartington site, with existing operations being integrated into Long Clawson’s business.
The acquisition would help improve efficiency and secure the long-term viability of the business, said Long Clawson’s chief executive Martin Taylor. The company would also be increasing its investment in technology and innovation.
Dairy Crest denied allegations that the quality of the Stilton it had been producing had suffered in the run-up to the sale, insisting that it had just decided to focus its attention elsewhere.
The deal, which marks Dairy Crest’s exit from the Stilton market, remains conditional upon employee consultation. But if it does go through, as expected, it is likely to result in full or partial closure of the Hartington site, with existing operations being integrated into Long Clawson’s business.
The acquisition would help improve efficiency and secure the long-term viability of the business, said Long Clawson’s chief executive Martin Taylor. The company would also be increasing its investment in technology and innovation.
Dairy Crest denied allegations that the quality of the Stilton it had been producing had suffered in the run-up to the sale, insisting that it had just decided to focus its attention elsewhere.
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