Dale Farm has bought Parmalat's UK dairy operations for an undisclosed sum.
Dale Farm is the processing arm of Northern Irish co-op United Dairy Farmers, and it bought Parmalat's dairy processing activities at Kendal in northern England, which makes products under the Losely and Lakeland Maid brands.
The buy will extend Dale Farm's portfolio of yoghurts, dessert and cottage cheese products, which compete within the dairy sector's fastest-growing category.
The firm plans to maintain employment at the plant, which has an annual turnover of around £30m and a staff of around 200.
The acquisition forms part of a plan to invest £20m in its manufacturing operations, of which more than £12m has already been committed.
