Herfelingen (Eurotoday) – Dutch dairy company Royal A-ware plans to shut down the long-established Olympia dairy factory in Herfelingen, Flemish Brabant, Belgium, citing outdated infrastructure. The closure threatens 168 jobs at the facility, which has been in operation since 1954.
After 70 years of uninterrupted activity, the Olympia dairy factory will permanently close its doors. Royal A-ware, which acquired the Belgian dairy producer in 2022, has concluded that the plant is no longer viable due to obsolete equipment that hinders modern, efficient production. As a result, 168 employees now face job loss.
Despite Olympia’s deep roots in the dairy-rich Pajottenland region and its long-standing significance since its establishment in 1954, financial struggles plagued the company. Royal A-ware had invested in upkeep and adjusted the organizational structure since acquiring Olympia, but ultimately determined that further investment would not be financially feasible.
“Unfortunately, too many of the installations and infrastructure are so outdated that complete new construction is needed to meet current and future efficiency and quality requirements. The investments that this requires are not economically justifiable,”
the company stated.
Olympia has long been a fixture in the community. Herfelingen Mayor Kris Poelaert (CD&V) described the closure as a major loss for the region:
“First and foremost, I want to express my condolences to all 168 employees who are being laid off. This is really drastic for those people, but also for other companies and suppliers. Moreover, Olympia was really embedded in the association life, they supported a lot of activities.”
Olympia’s history dates back to 1946, when the Van Impe family acquired the Saica butter factory, later rebranding it in 1954 as Zuivelfabriek van Herfelingen. In 1991, Kamiel Van Impe and his sons Marc and Luc constructed a modern facility along the Steenweg op Asse to streamline production and support international expansion. A dedicated dessert production department was added in 2003.
Why is the Olympia dairy factory closing?
Having grown from a local butter plant into a key dairy player in Belgium, Olympia underwent significant developments between 1946 and the early 2000s. It expanded to meet global demand and introduced new product lines, including desserts. However, after recovering from a 2012 fire and implementing sustainable packaging, the company hit financial hardship in 2018. Dutch dairy giant Royal A-ware took over in 2022, hoping to revitalize the plant.
Ultimately, Royal A-ware concluded that upgrading the aging infrastructure would require a full rebuild, an investment deemed economically unsustainable. The plant’s closure will not only impact its 168 employees but also reverberate through the Pajottenland’s business community and social fabric. Social consultations between unions and workers are expected to take place to discuss the future of the site.
Comments
14 responses to “Olympia Herfelingen Dairy Shuts Down, Putting 168 Jobs at Risk”
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You know, it’s not every day that you see a dairy factory closing after 70 years – maybe they should have just upgraded to a nice espresso machine instead of that “outdated infrastructure.” 🍵✨ But hey, at least now the workers can finally pursue their lifelong dreams of becoming professional cheese tasters!
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Just what we need—another piece of history turned into a post-apocalyptic dairy wasteland. Bravo, Royal A-ware, for taking a beloved local gem and tossing it into the bin faster than you can say “cheese production!” 🧀😂
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Just what we need, another iconic Belgian dairy falling victim to the cruel mistress of “outdated infrastructure.” Who knew an ancient factory couldn’t keep up with the latest tech trends? 🥴🥛
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Guess they thought turning milk into cheese was easier than turning a profit. 168 people out of a job, but hey, at least the cows can have a well-deserved holiday now! 🐄💔
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Oh joy, another beloved local institution biting the dust because “modernization” just couldn’t be bothered to show up. Guess the cows will have to find new pastures, eh? 🐄💼
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Oh, lovely! Just what we needed: a historic dairy factory bites the dust because “outdated infrastructure” is the new chic. I suppose now we can all enjoy artisanal cheese that’s *really* artisanal, as in, not made in a factory but in someone’s grandma’s kitchen. 🧀🙄
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So, let me get this straight: after 70 years of producing dairy, they decide it’s time for a dramatic exit rather than a little modernization? Classic Belgian move—why fix a sinking ship when you can just let it sink, right? 🧀🙄
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Just what we needed—another charming piece of history turned into a pile of rubble. Who needs jobs in a quaint little dairy town anyway? 🧀💔 Cheers to modernization!
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Looks like Royal A-ware decided that 168 jobs are just a small price to pay for a bit of modernisation—who needs a thriving dairy when you can have a shiny new spreadsheet? 🥴🥛
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Typical, innit? After 70 years of serving up dairy delights, they decide it’s just too much hassle to modernize – guess those cows won’t be cashing in their pensions anytime soon! 🐄💸#OutwiththeOld
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Looks like the only thing aging faster than the equipment at Olympia is the economy these days! Who needs jobs in a quaint dairy factory when you can just enjoy artisanal cheese from your couch, amirite? 🧀💼
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Guess it’s time for the folks at Olympia to trade their milk cartons for job-seeking pamphlets. Nothing screams progress like a dairy factory that’s seen more renovations than a medieval castle! 🏰🥛
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Ah, the sweet sound of job losses and outdated machinery—truly a symphony of progress, isn’t it? 😅 Who knew the dairy industry would take a page out of the “how to ruin a local economy” handbook like it was written by a bunch of unqualified muppets? 🍦
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Well, isn’t it just delightful when a 70-year-old dairy factory bites the dust because “outdated infrastructure” is suddenly a deal-breaker? 🙄 Guess Royal A-ware thinks cows don’t need a comfy home anymore! 🐄💔
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