FrieslandCampina is taking new steps to make its production network in the Netherlands more efficient, sustainable, and future proof. As part of this, the company intends to concentrate activities at the production site in Leeuwarden at the southern part of the location. As a result, the northern part of the site will eventually be closed. Additionally, the company plans to relocate the production of natural cheese from Born to Workum. As a result of this consolidation, the cheese production site in Born will be closed. These two intended measures will collectively lead to the elimination of 186 jobs.
Said David Cutter, Chief Supply Chain and Research & Development Officer of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V.: “FrieslandCampina must continue to operate cost-effectively, sustainably and in a future proof manner. This is why we are always looking for opportunities to optimise our production network. We are aware of the significant impact that the announced steps will have on our employees and will support them as much as possible in finding new employment, either within or outside our organisation.”
Adjustments at production site Leeuwarden FrieslandCampina intends to concentrate all activities in Leeuwarden in the southern part of the production site and eventually close the northern part. This will avoid significant investments in the renewal of the northern area and will eliminate the division of the site by a public road and railway line in the future, which will be more cost-effective and more efficient logistically. This process will happen gradually, with the aim to stop the production of sweetened condensed milk by 1 June 2026, which will then be outsourced to Hochwald in Bolsward as part of a strategic partnership. In return, FrieslandCampina will produce evaporated milk in Leeuwarden for Hochwald in Bolsward. The production of the remaining products, currently manufactured in the northern part, will be relocated elsewhere within FrieslandCampina’s existing network. The announced measures will lead to the elimination of 87 of the total 927 jobs in Leeuwarden.
Closure of cheese production site in Born FrieslandCampina also intends to relocate the production of natural cheese from Born to Workum. As part of this consolidation of activities, the cheese production location in Born will close by 10 May 2025 at the latest. This measure will result in the loss of 99 jobs.
FrieslandCampina has informed employees and trade unions about the intended steps. For employees with a permanent contract, the FrieslandCampina Social Plan applies, which provides support in finding new employment, both within and outside the organisation. For more visit frieslandcampina.com
