Around 450 new jobs will be created if plans to build a new dairy facility in Stirling receive the go-head…
Scottish firm Graham’s The Family Dairy has announced plans to construct a new dairy, research, and training facility at Craigforth. The new facility could see 400 new jobs created and 50 apprenticeships as a result.
Production lines for milk, cream, cheese, and butter will be installed at the 150,000 sq ft facility, as well as a research centre aimed at developing new products. It is hoped the facility will be financed via the development of 600 homes, community amenities, and a primary school on their land at Aithrey Kerse. The scheme receive protestation locally, and is still awaiting planning permission from the council.
The Graham family have been farming in Stirlingshire for five generation. Currently, the company has a dairy in Aithrey Kerse in Bridge of Allan, a processing plan in Nairn, and depots throughout Scotland.
The firm saw an £85m turnover in 2014, and produces more than 700,000 pints of milk a day. The new facility could produce 350 million litres of milk every year.
Robert Graham, managing director of the dairy and grandson of its founder, said: “Investing in Stirling runs through my family’s history and our business. That is why we want to build the new dairy processing, research and training centre in Stirling.
“Stirling is our home. It is where we farm, live and, from our dairy at Airthrey Kerse, employ more than 500 people throughout Scotland.
“Stirling has the key attributes a business needs; a high quality education system, accessibility, dynamic business culture, an outstanding environment and an ambitious and inspiring city economic strategy.
“Our research forecasts that by combining a new, modern dairy processing facility with a research and training centre that has strong links into the local education system and a proactive local recruitment policy, Graham’s can significantly strengthen the Stirling economy and place the city at the forefront of the Scottish food and drink sector.”
Following a public consultation, Stirling Council is set to receive a planning application for the new dairy in June 2015.
