18/02/2004

Dale Farm acquires Parmalat's UK operation

Leading Northern Ireland dairy company Dale Farm Group has acquired the UK dairy operation of Parmlat.

The deal for an undisclosed sum will see Dale Farm take over Parmalat UK's dairy processing plant in Kendal in the Lake District safeguarding employment for some 200 people.

It is understood that the Kendal operation, which makes Losely and Lakeland Maid branded products, will continue to produce a range of yogurt, dessert and cottage cheese products.

Dale Farm is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Northern Ireland farmers' co-operative United Dairy Farmers.

The group has been actively investing in a multi-million pound long-term acquisition strategy.

Earlier this year, Italian-owned company Parmalat admitted debts in excess of 4 billion euros as a huge financial scandal bankrupted the Italian food giant.

(SP)

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