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Müller UK and Ireland has announced the sale of of milk round and doorstep delivery service, Milk & More, to Freshways Group. The doorstep delivery service was acquired by Müller as part of its acquisition of Dairy Crest’s wider liquid milk processing and distribution operation in 2016. Müller’s investments in Milk & More include developing a digital platform and large fleet of electric vehicles for delivery, as well as the introduction of a broader and relevant product offering beyond milk and improving customer experience. The service serves hundreds of customers across the country each week with fresh milk, juices, breads, eggs, yogurts, fruit, vegetables and other grocery staples. It currently employs around 1,100 staff members. Müller’s primary business in the UK is focused on the supply of fresh milk, yogurt and other dairy products to retail, wholesale and other businesses. Following a strategic review, the company has decided to divest its interest in direct-to-consumer business Milk & More. Freshways was established in 1993, beginning as a small wholesaler in London, UK. It offers customers throughout London, Wales and the rest of the UK fresh milk, bread and dairy products. It operates a processing facility in Acton, West London, along with further facilities in Southampton and Leeds, and has 16 distribution centres nationwide. Bali Nijar, managing director of Freshways, said: “Freshways is delighted to be entering a marketplace which we have not been a part of for many decades. We have seen customer habits changing in relation to convenience through the growth of home delivery operations like Amazon and Deliveroo.” “We are confident that we can carry forward the Milk & More business in the same manner that we have elevated Freshways over the past 30 years.” Milk & More’s CEO, Patrick Muller, added: “The synergies that exist between Milk & More and Freshways, and the opportunity afforded through vertical integration with a direct supply of fresh milk, offers Milk & More the means to further develop its proposition for customers”. “Potential also exists to advance our sustainability agenda by offering its customers the choice between refillable glass bottled milk and renewable cartons, the environmental credentials for which have significantly improved.” The sale is set to be complete on 1 January 2024. Müller was advised on the transaction by Osborne Clarke LLP and investment bank, Houlihan Lokey.