Competition probe into Wiseman
28 January 2000
Competition probe into Wiseman
THE Competition Commission is to investigate Robert Wiseman Dairies as part of an inquiry into the supply of milk in Scotland.
The commissions investigation follows complaints that Wiseman, which now controls 85% of the Scottish milk market, has been acting anti-competitively.
The company has expanded rapidly in recent years in a wave of acquisitions, the latest significant one being Scottish Pride in 1997.
This was bought from the receivers after clearance had been given by the competition authorities.
It also faced scrutiny from the authorities when it attempted to buy the dairy arm when the company was still solvent.
Last year, it obtained consent from the authorities to buy the Aberdeen Milk co-operative and Gilmours Dairy.
Wiseman has made no secret of its ambitions south of the Border. It has already established facilities in Manchester and Birmingham to that end.
The commissions investigation follows last years probe into milk supply in Britain which led to the break-up of Milk Marque.