Union officials have expressed their “shock” at the prospect of over 130 jobs being lost at UK milk processor Robert Wiseman Dairies.

The dairy company, which supplies milk to the likes of Tesco, announced today (27 January) that a production site and a distribution depot could close.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Some 69 staff at the production facility at Okehampton could lose their jobs, while 68 workers at the depot in Fife could leave the company. Wiseman has said alternative jobs could be find elsewhere in the business and has started consulting with staff on the changes.

John Gorle, national officer for the Usdaw union, said compulsory redundancies could not be ruled out.

“The scale of the proposed changes and the number of jobs threatened is a shock and will obviously be very distressing news for our members,” Gorle said.

“Consultations on a site by site basis will start shortly and we will examine Wiseman’s business case for the proposals in detail. The company has said that limited opportunities for redeployment exist and that they will seek volunteers for redundancy, but at the moment compulsory redundancies certainly can’t be ruled out. These are loyal and dedicated workers and Usdaw will be doing all we can to defend their jobs and to represent them throughout the consultation process.” 

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now