Scottish milk supplier and distributor Müller Wiseman Dairies has confirmed plans to close its Keith and Whitburn facilities in Scotland, a move which will lead to a loss of about 140 jobs.
The company stated that it will gradually transfer operations at Keith and Whitburn to depots in Aberdeen and Cambuslang.
The closures will affect 23 jobs at Keith and 116 posts at Whitburn; however the company plans to create 13 and 68 jobs at Aberdeen and Cambuslang depots respectively.
Müller-Wiseman stated that the decision has been taken following a strategic review and a 45-day consultation process which were prompted by significant reductions in the delivery runs from each facility.
Müller-Wiseman managing director Carl Ravenhall was quoted by BBC as saying that the employees, management and unions worked have made every effort to find ways to address challenges faced by the depots but the company is unable to establish an economic basis to continue distributing milk from the facilities.
"We very much regret the impact that this decision will have on these areas but we have to adapt to changes in the way that fresh milk is being distributed."
"It is our hope that colleagues based at Keith and Whitburn will consider taking up positions which will be created in Aberdeen and Cambuslang," Ravenhall added.
In June, Müller Wiseman Dairies proposed plans to close the Keith and Whitburn sites following a review of its operational and administrative efficiencies and just 18 months after Wiseman agreed to a takeover by Müller.