Lakeland Dairies provides a wide range of high-quality yoghurt and cultured buttermilk for retail customers as well as for many major retail brands. Avocado: mash the avocado with a squeeze of lemon juice, Tabasco and seasoning. Add 25g of the cream cheese and 3 tablespoons of the Pour & More Single and beat until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Lakeland Dairies has a heritage of success spanning 120 years. The modern day Lakeland Dairies Group was formed in 1990 through the merger of the then Killeshandra and Lough Egish Co-operatives, established in 1896 and 1902 respectively. Since then, through a process of organic and acquisitive growth, the co-operative has created a dynamic business as one of Ireland's top dairy processors. 1896 -Co-Operative Beginnings: Following a period of many changes in ownership the future of Bailieborough was assured when it became part of Lakeland Dairies in 2002. Since then through a programme of targeted investment the processing facilities at Bailieborough have been expanded and it is today the main production centre for the Society’s Food Ingredients Division. 2003 - Lakeland Dairies acquires production facilities of LE Pritchitt in Newtownards Co. Down

We have a continuously strong focus on the development and evolution of our technical capabilities through an ongoing investment programme in new technologies and equipment. This is supported through the ongoing training and development of our people and the recruitment of experienced professionals. Minister Humphreys said social protection officials will engage directly with the company and ensure all available supports are put in place, including opportunities to retrain and reskill. Lakeland Dairies group chief executive Colin Kelly said that the co-operative has a “strong balance sheet”, with a milk pool of 2 billion litres produced by 3,200 farm families, but that the next decade will see a shift in the milk industry from large volume growth to “value-added growth and adding capability throughout the business”.My thoughts, first and foremost, are with the workers at Lakeland Dairies and their families as they come to terms with this devastating news," she said in a statement. In January of 1990 the Killeshandra Co-Op and the Lough Egish Co-Op came together in a ‘very harmonious merger’ and the name ‘Lakeland Dairies’ was announced by Des Boylan and Pat Flanagan (the Chairmen of the respective Society’s) as the title for the new Co-Operative. 2002 -Bailieborough becomes part of Lakeland Dairies

As well as the Champion and Ballyrashane brands, liquid milk is supplied to high-profile retail chains across the island. We will work closely with them and support them throughout this process in which they will continue to be treated fairly and with respect."The industry has come through a period of significant volume growth following the removal of milk quotas in 2015." The vision of Lakeland Dairies is to achieve long term success and prosperity for dairy producers throughout the northern half of the island of Ireland. We will achieve this continuously by identifying and meeting the needs of our customers, competitively and cost efficiently, with wholesome, natural produce of the highest attainable quality.

Separately, milk drying facilities at Lough Egish in Co Monaghan, where over 20 people work, are also to close in June of next year. The industry has come through a period of significant volume growth following the removal of milk quotas in 2015," said Mr Kelly.

Lakeland Dairies invested over €350m to support the ambition of our farm families to produce this additional milk and meet the latent demand at farm level for expansion." Lakeland Dairies has commenced an engagement and consultation process with staff and their unions directly. The remaining 1,300 Lakeland Dairies staff will not be directly impacted by this announcement. Lakeland Dairies’ Group Chief Executive Officer Colin Kelly said: In Consumer Foods, Lakeland Dairies produces high-quality, wholesome and delicious milk, butter, cream and yogurt products for consumers across the island of Ireland.