Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes is set to change hands again, with community leaders expressing concern about what the takeover could mean for the landmark business and its workforce.
The Hawes creamery makes more than 20 cheeses and uses milk from more than 40 local farms.
It employs more than 200 people.
North Yorkshire councillor for Hawes, Yvonne Peacock, said the announcement was a concern for the area.
“It is always concerning when there are big changes affecting the creamery as it is such an important part of life and the economy in Hawes and the Upper Dales.”
Councillor Jill McMullon, chair of Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council, added: “My concern is what assurance of the staff been given about the security of their jobs.
“The creamey in the main employer in Hawes and it’s very worrying. It wasn’t that long ago that they were taken over previously, and it’s happened again.
“It’s the staff that I’m concerned about. I understand they’ve been told, but what assurances they have had I don’t know.”
Emmanuel Besnier, chairman of Lactalis, said: “This acquisition marks a key milestone in Lactalis’ development in the United Kingdom.
“By welcoming famous brands and recognised expertise into the group, we are strengthening our position in the UK market and reaffirming our commitment to providing consumers with high-quality dairy products.”
Carl Colizza, president and CEO of Saputo, said the divestment would allow the company to refine its international footprint and concentrate on areas where it holds a stronger competitive position.
“The value to be realised recognises the expertise of the UK team, the quality of the operations and the market position of these leading brands,” Colizza commented.
He added that the transaction would strengthen Saputo’s financial flexibility and support its approach to capital allocation.
The new deal means the French family-owned company will become the leading supplier of cheddar and butter and spreads across the UK.
Its offerings will include Cathedral City and Davidstow cheddar cheeses, Yorkshire Wensleydale, Country Life butter, and Clover and Utterly Butterly spreads.
The deal is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to approval.
Reports suggest it is worth £988m.
Saputo, which bought Wensleydale Dairy Products in 2021 in a £23m deal, employs approximately 1,300 people and operates five production sites, one being the Hawes site.
Its other current sites are in Davidstow in Cornwall, Nuneaton in Warwickshire, Kirkby in Merseyside, and the Isle of Bute in Scotland.
In its latest financial year, the business generated revenues of €800m.
In 2013, its Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese achieved European Protected Geographical Indication status to stop it being imitated.
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I wonder what Kit Calvert the Hawes man that built and owned this Wensleydale Dairy would have thought about the French taking over his successful business???
It’s a good job the local workers got together some years ago and saved it when the Milk Maketing Board were going to close it as they said it wasn’t viable.
I do hope this all turns out well for the company and all the workers.