First Milk & Milk Link merger approved
Published 14 December 2007

The Office of Fair Trading has this week announced its approval of the proposed merger of First Milk and Milk Link. In a joint statement, the companies welcomed the approval and stated that due diligence work was continuing so that the respective boards can endorse the merger to members.

The rationale for the merger (announced in October) was to create an organisation that would deliver enhanced and sustainable returns to its members through an increased ability to add value and secure profitable markets for its milk and milk products.

Milk Link and First Milk have a combined turnover of over £1 billion, handle 3 billion litres of milk per year and are owned by 4,250 dairy farmers in England, Wales and Scotland. Both businesses are said to be complementary in terms of membership bases, processing assets, positions in key markets and customers.