Muller-Wiseman

Muller Wiseman Dairies is conducting a 30-day consultation over the future of its Pensilva distribution depot in Cornwall, citing a shift away from individual store deliveries and into RDCs.

MD Carl Ravenhall said the company ran a strong network across the UK but that it needed to adapt to the changing sector trends. “Many individual stores continue to look to us to supply them with milk every day, but some customers now have the capability to manage distribution themselves using regional distribution centres, and no longer require us to deliver directly to each of their stores.

“We operate in a very competitive environment and it is right that we properly review the viability of this depot going forward, taking the views and ideas of our employees and their representatives into account over the next month, before arriving at a decision,” he added.

A company spokesman told Motortransport.co.uk that all possibilities for the site were being explored, with potential staff transfers to Bridgwater should a decision be made to close the facility. He added that 58 posts affected by the consultation launched on 16 May, 29 of which are HGV drivers.

Dairy goods manufacturer Muller acquired Robert Wiseman Dairies for £279m in January 2012. In July last year, it closed two Scottish depots in Keith and Whitburn following a strategic network review.

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