Muller in takeover talks with Robert Wiseman dairies

Glasgow-based Robert Wiseman dairies - the UK’s biggest fresh milk supplier - is in talks to be bought by German-owned yoghurt maker Muller Dairy.

Wiseman, which operates seven dairies across the UK and counts The Co-operative Group, Sainsbury’s and Tesco among its customers, has seen its share price rise nearly a third today amid the takeover speculation.

The company confirmed it was in talks for a cash offer with Muller Dairy UK, which is owned by German-based parent group Theo Muller, but it said there was no certainty of a bid.

Wiseman was established in 1947 and now provides about 30 per cent of the fresh milk consumed in the UK every day.