Arla Foods UK acquires logistics provider PLC 24/7

Arla Foods has acquired its logistic provider PLC 24/7 to assure future operations at its Hatfield site and the continuation of service to its customers.

The deal, made through Arla’s UK division, will see the dairy cooperative take over the lease to the Hatfield warehouse and bring in-house all logistics operations related to those services previously provided by PLC.

As a result of the acquisition, Arla will take on the services which are currently performed by PLC Transport 24/7 with the exception of Bristol.

Part of the BFS Group, PLC Transport is a specialist in providing chilled warehousing and distribution for a range of products including dairy in a controlled temperature environment.

Following the deal, 470 PLC employees are expected to transfer to Arla. Assets that are currently used in operation of the site will also be transferred.

The acquisition has also brought forward the timeline for Arla’s transfer of its Bristol operations. These will be transferred to logistics platform Gist, as of 6th March 2020.  

Arla Foods UK managing director, Ash Amirahmadi, said, “Bringing our Hatfield operations in house will allow us to focus on delivering the best possible service to our customers. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues at the Hatfield site and we will work hard to maintain a smooth and seamless transition for our customers throughout this process.”  

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Last September, Arla announced that it was testing a natural, no preservative new technology designed to enable international transport for fresh dairy products, with the aim of creating new global growth opportunities.