A SCOTTISH dairy firm is set to create up to 100 jobs as part of a multi-million-pound expansion plan.

An increase in demand for direct doorstep milk deliveries is driving the growth of the business, Glasgow-based McQueens Dairies says.

The expansion is a result of the takeover of the former Muller dairy facility in East Kilbride and follows the opening of the business’s latest depot in Galashiels in May.

Founded in 1995 by husband-and-wife team Mick and Meg McQueen, the company now operates eight distribution depots in Scotland and the north of England as well as a dairy in Glasgow. It employs 400 people with the couple’s five children holding senior positions.

The business’s turnover grew by 30% last year and the increase is on course to be repeated this year.

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The McQueens said the new 6.5 acre dairy site in East Kilbride, which is expected to open next spring, would allow the business to accelerate its growth in the doorstep delivery sector.

Chair Mick McQueen said: “We’re also very excited about creating many new jobs as a result.

“We’re an ambitious business that delivers milk direct to customers’ doors and want to build on the success we’ve achieved so far.

“Our success to date has been by focusing on the demand for doorstep delivery both here in Scotland and in the north of England. We know that many people purchase milk from supermarkets but our business is about delivering milk direct to the consumer, be that doorsteps or businesses.

“There is a real growth in the demand for doorstep delivery and we are perfectly placed to respond.

He added: “Our current dairy and distribution centre in the M8 Food Park in the north of Glasgow has reached capacity and doesn’t afford us any more scope to expand, so the move to a purpose-built dairy, just 12 miles away and still within easy reach of our tens of thousands of customers, makes perfect sense.”

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The firm’s expansion will also increase its requirement for a raw liquid milk supply from farmers.

“We will be using the dairy in a different way to how it was used before, which was predominantly to produce flavoured milk and potted cream,” Mick McQueen said.

He added the company will be focused on processing liquid milk along with orange and apple juices,

meaning much of the investment will be in modern dairy technology, including a new refrigeration plant and pasteurising equipment.

“We are also pleased that another positive result from our expansion is that we will be processing more milk. Our supply relationship with First Milk will see them delivering more raw milk to us, directly from farmers which is good news for everyone.”

First Milk commercial director Fraser Brown said: “We look forward to continuing our milk supply partnership with McQueens as they grow and develop their business. We are proud to supply them with high-quality, farm-assured, fresh milk directly from our farmer members, with full traceability – something we know is important to all customers.”

McQueens Dairies Ltd has over 100,000 milk delivery customers across Scotland and in the north of England served by distribution depots in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy, Galashiels, Mansfield, Huddersfield, Warrington and Preston.

McQueen said: “Our customers are key to our success. Many have been with us from the very start and remain loyal to us and we are committed to giving them the very best service and product in the market.”