The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today (19TH October, 2015) announced the approval of Müller UK & Ireland’s acquisition of Dairy Crest’s processing, trading and distribution activities relating to liquid milk, packaged cream, flavoured milk and bulk commodity ingredients.

The acquisition, which includes Dairy Crest’s dairy facilities at Severnside, Chadwell Heath, Foston and Hanworth together with around 70 depots, will complete no later than 27th December 2015.

The decision follows agreement by the CMA that Müller will toll process a nominated volume of fresh liquid milk for fresh milk processor Medina Dairy at the Severnside facility to ensure competition for national multiple tenders in the South West, Wales, the South and the Midlands.

Ronald Kers, Chief Executive of Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller said:

“As a family owned company, we aim to invest in businesses where we can add value through our knowledge, scale and entrepreneurial way of operating.

“This acquisition is very much in line with this mission and we are delighted that we can now press on, drive towards completion of this transaction and begin work with our new colleagues to bring these businesses together.

“There is no question that further consolidation is required in the UK fresh milk sector and with this hurdle now cleared, we have an exciting opportunity to create a more competitive, sustainable, efficient and innovative dairy processor in the UK.”