FrieslandCampina to cease powder production at two Dutch plants

FrieslandCampina has announced plans to discontinue the powder production at its Dutch plants in Dronrijp and Gerkesklooster – the latest move under its transformation strategy.

The Dronrijp plant – which currently produces several powder products for use in infant nutrition, medical nutrition and sports nutrition – will be closed as of 1 April 2022, with production to be moved to other locations.

Meanwhile, the whey and milk powder tower in Gerkesklooster served as an emergency milk processing facility and will cease production on 15 January 2021. As part of FrieslandCampina Dairy Essentials, the Gerkesklooster site will continue to produce other dairy products such as cheese.

FrieslandCampina says there will be a total of 57 redundancies as a result of ceasing powder production at both locations.

The announcement forms part of the acceleration of FrieslandCampina’s ‘Our Purpose, Our Plan’ strategy, which it re-evaluated on 10 November to amongst other things, reduce structural overcapacity through plant closures or by relocating production volumes.

With an effort to further optimise its production network and contribute to cost savings, the termination of powder production at the two sites comes after the closure of FrieslandCampina’s production facility in Rijkevoort, the Netherlands.

Last month, the dairy cooperative announced the acceleration of its transformation strategy in Germany, which will include the loss of 195 employees and cuts to its portfolio.

Hans Meeuwis, president of FrieslandCampina Dairy Essentials, said: “We are continuously looking for ways to further improve our position with regard to milk processing, value creation and cost optimisation.

“Needless to say, we do this with all interests in mind and concern for all employees involved. This step fits in with the further improvement of our position.”