Dairy Crest has announced it intends to close two factories as part of cost cutting measures in a move putting 260 jobs at risk.
The maker of Cathedral City cheese and Country Life butter intends to save up to £20m a year by shutting its bottling plant in Hanworth, west London and a cream potting facility in Chard, Somerset.
Dairy Crest cited consumer preference for plastic bottles over taking delivery of glass ones as a factor in its decision.
The Hanworth site, which employs 200 people, is earmarked for closure in the next two years, while the Somerset plant is set to close next year with 60 jobs set to go.
Dairy Crest chief executive Mark Allen said: “The decisions to consult on the closure of our Hanworth and Chard sites have not been taken lightly, but they are right for the long term future of the business as a whole. We will do all we can to help employees who may be affected by these proposals.”
On the same day Dairy Crest disclosed it expects to make a loss when its results are next published, it confirmed a 4% rise in the sales of brands including Cathedral City, Clover and Country Life for the quarter up to March 2014.
