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FrieslandCampina plans to further optimize and make its butter production network in the Netherlands more sustainable. To achieve this, all butter production will be located in Lochem. As a result, the production location in 's-Hertogenbosch will eventually be closed and the production location in Lochem will be expanded.
This proposed decision is a direct consequence of the increasing demand for cream products for the foodservice market. As a result, less cream is available for butter production, creating structural overcapacity in butter production. In view of this, the decision has now been made to merge all butter production and house it in Lochem, allowing better use of the butter production network. By combining butter oil and powder production with butter production in Lochem, more efficient production can be achieved. In addition, a new, sustainable butter plant will be built in Lochem, which will greatly reduce CO2 emissions.
Roel van Neerbos, President of FrieslandCampina Food & Beverage: "We realize that this proposed decision will soon bring an end to our decades-long presence in 's-Hertogenbosch and that this farewell will be an emotional moment for many employees. We will of course support them in finding a new job, within or outside FrieslandCampina."
The remodeling of the production facility in Lochem will take about two years. The expansion there is expected to create 27 new jobs. The facility in 's-Hertogenbosch will be closed in mid-2025, eliminating nearly 90 jobs. This will be partly absorbed by natural turnover. The employees and unions involved have been informed of the proposed decision and the employee participation body has been asked for its opinion. FrieslandCampina will apply the Social Plan and support the employees involved in finding new jobs.
