Müller Unveils £45 Million Investment into Skelmersdale Site
Müller UK & Ireland has announced a major investment into its West Lancashire operations, revealing plans to pour £45 million into the Skelmersdale site following its acquisition of Yew Tree Dairy in October 2024.
The move marks a significant step in the company’s ambition to create one of the largest and most advanced milk processing facilities in the United Kingdom, strengthening its role in both domestic and international dairy markets.
Building the UK’s Flagship Milk Drying Facility
The substantial investment is aimed at enhancing the site’s liquid milk production capacity, boosting overall efficiency, and improving product quality. A key focus will be on developing a flagship facility for milk drying, positioning Skelmersdale as the “biggest and most flexible milk balancing site” in the country.
Once complete, the site will be able to produce 30% more powdered milk, a strategic move that supports Müller’s ambition to become a leading producer and exporter of powdered milk products – all derived from British farms.
What’s more, this expansion signals not only a vote of confidence in the UK dairy industry but also a commitment to supporting British agriculture amid shifting global demands.
Driving Jobs and Opportunities Across the Supply Chain
To support the increased production and scale of operations, Müller will be recruiting 40 new employees at Skelmersdale.
The recruitment drive will include roles for control room technicians, forklift drivers, engineers, and various management and support positions. This injection of jobs underscores Müller’s commitment to building long-term sustainability and economic value within the region.
But the opportunities go beyond the factory floor. With a focus on strengthening relationships with its supplying farmers, Müller is introducing a tailored incentive scheme named Müller Advantage for its ‘Müller Direct’ suppliers at the Skelmersdale site.
The programme will offer practical tools, resources, and knowledge to help farmers proactively improve areas such as cow health, milk quality, and environmental impact.
New Contracts to Offer Stability and Transparency
In line with these efforts, Müller is also reshaping its payment structure for farmers. Currently, most Skelmersdale-based suppliers receive an ‘ingredients only’ price. From November 2025, all will have the option to switch to a newly developed Müller Direct Skelmersdale price model.
This combines existing Müller Direct liquid and ingredients prices, using published global indices to ensure a more transparent and fairer pricing structure.
The company states that this contract innovation will lead to more stable and higher annualised returns for the majority of its farmers – a move that is likely to be welcomed amid increasing concerns over volatility in milk pricing and farm income.
A Long-Term Vision for British Dairy
Since acquiring Yew Tree Dairy last year, Müller has been steadily working to integrate the Skelmersdale operations into its broader business. The current investment is a culmination of those efforts and a bold indication of the company’s long-term strategic vision.
The CEO of Müller Milk & Ingredients commented that they said at the time of acquisition that they wanted to go further. This investment does exactly that – enhancing their liquid milk production capacity, capability and quality, and creating a flagship facility for milk drying, which will be one of the biggest and most flexible balancing sites in the UK.
They also added that with this significant investment into the site, its people, and the supplying farms, they are creating exciting new opportunities across the supply chain. It’s all part of their journey to build a better, more resilient future for the British dairy sector.
Conclusion
With the £45 million investment in full motion and completion set for the end of 2026, Müller’s transformation of the Skelmersdale site is more than an upgrade – it’s a blueprint for the future of British dairy.
Through cutting-edge production capabilities, job creation, and a renewed commitment to supporting farmers, Müller is not only bolstering its own supply chain but also reinforcing the foundations of the UK’s agricultural economy.
This initiative reflects the company’s belief that meaningful investment and collaboration are key to a thriving, sustainable dairy industry for generations to come.
News Credits: Müller to invest £45M into West Lancashire site
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