Dairy giant Muller has announced plans to close its Aberdeen distribution depot putting 50 jobs at risk.
The firm has launched a 30-day consultation into the proposed closure of its Aberdeen distribution, garage, tanker and retail operations.
It said it planned to relocate these operations to existing sites in central Scotland, which are close to its customers’ regional distribution centres.
Muller Milk & Ingredients Distribution chief executive officer, Ian Smith, blamed declining consumption of fresh milk and significant changes in retailing for the proposed closure.
“The volume going through our Aberdeen site has been severely impacted, and with the majority of our customers distribution operations now located in central Scotland, we need to take action,” added Mr Smith.
“We are ready to consult to ensure that our operational capabilities meet the requirements of all of our customers both now and in the future and we will work hard with our employees and their representatives over the next 30 days to find the right solutions.”
He said affected employees would be offered opportunities to relocate, or supported should this not be possible.
Trade union Usdaw said it would interrogate Muller on the business case for the closure.
The union’s area organiser, Kate Cumming, said: “Usdaw members working in Müller’s Aberdeen depot are clearly devastated by this announcement. We will now enter into meaningful consultations with the company to interrogate the business case for this proposal. In the meantime we are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they need at this very difficult time.”
