Creamery site sold to firm that makes pigments and additives for construction industry

A former creamery in Denbighshire has been sold to a company that makes pigments and additives for the construction industry.

Procter and Johnson are relocating to the ex-Arla site in Llandyrnog, near Denbigh, from their factory in Flint which they have outgrown.

The plant went on the market three years ago for £2.5 million after farmer-owned Arla closed it down with the loss of 100 jobs.

Until then the creamery had made cheese, including cheddar, there for nearly a century.

The 10.58 acre site comprised a former dairy and cheese factory, with an array of manufacturing buildings, warehouse buildings and offices.

According to Procter Johnson, the move will enable the company to expand and add create new jobs, adding to their current workforce of 37 people.

After installing new equipment, they hope the site will be operational by next year.

Llandyrnog councillor Merfyn Parry said: “Obviously this fantastic news for Llandyrnog and the old Creamery site.

“I would like to wish Procter Johnson all the very best and thanks for investing in Llandyrnog and Denbighshire.”

‘Very excited’ 

In a letter to Cllr Parry, Harvey Jackson, the managing director of Procter Johnson, said: “We are very excited at the prospect of conducting operations from Llandyrnog and hope that we can have a positive impact on the village and wider community.

“Just to give you an idea of who we are and what we do.

“Procter Johnson manufactures pigments and additives for the construction industry, with the vast majority of our business being colour for precast concrete – roof tiles, pavers, patio slabs, walling, facing bricks, etc

“We are a privately owned business and have been on the site at Flint since 1984. I have worked there since 1993 and have been part of the management team since 2002.

“The business has grown significantly since 2010 and we have now outgrown the site at Flint.

“The Creamery presents us with an opportunity for further growth and to future proof the business.

“We currently employ 37 people and hopefully we can expand on this as the business continues to grow.

“We plan to make some significant investment, mostly in new equipment, and hope to be operational by Easter 2022.”