German multi-national Müller to buy Robert Wiseman Dairies in £279 million cash deal

Date: 17 January 2012

The privately owned German multi-national Müller Dairy is set to buy Robert Wiseman Dairies in a cash deal worth £279.5 million.

The Board of Robert Wiseman’s Dairies, the UK’s biggest supplier of fresh milk, has recommended shareholders accept the offer and have reported that more than half of shareholders have already said they will back the deal. According to the company, the current management team will remain in place and the business will continue to trade using the Robert Wiseman name and distinctive black and white brand identity.

In a letter to staff announcing the decision, Executive Chairman Robert Wiseman said ‘I believe that this is a very positive move. Müller is a well respected, progressive and ambitious international dairy company and we share similar family values, culture and approach.’

John Gorle, Usdaw National Officer said:

"Wiseman’s has kept Usdaw fully informed about the offer from Müller and we will be meeting with the company shortly in order to discuss any potential impact the proposed acquisition may have for our members.”

“Müller does not currently have any milk production facilities in the UK so there does not appear to be any immediate threat of rationalisation. With the current management team remaining in place it is highly likely to be business as usual at least in the short to medium term.”

Notes for Editors:

1. Usdaw represents over 3,000 members employed throughout Wiseman’s UK network of dairies and depots.
2. Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest and fastest growing Trade Union with over 410,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.