Lakeland Dairies, a cross-border company with processing facilities on both sides of the border between the UK and Ireland, reported operating income of £ 15.8 million with group revenues of £ 733 million.

The company said the investment in technology and automation has paid off. The company recently completed a merger with another international dairy business, LacPatrick, making Lakeland Dairies the second largest dairy producer on the island of Ireland, which will process a 1.8 billion liter cross-border milk pool. of 3200 farms in 16 counties.

The company said that market conditions in 2019 will depend on Brexit results and demand for a range of dairy products. In an interview with BBC News NI, CEO Michael Hanley said Brexit would mean additional costs and lead to business inefficiencies, which could lead to a decrease profitability.

The firm has operations in Newtownards and Banbridge. The merger with LacPatrick will provide its processing facilities in Coleraine and Artigarvan.

Lakeland Dairies Group is an Irish dairy cooperative based in Killeshandra, Cavan County, Ireland. It was founded in 1990. Before the merger with LacPatrick, the company employed over 780 employees.