26th June 2024
Ehrmann, a Germany-based dairy company, has just announced its UK expansion with the acquisition of Trewithen Dairy.
The move, which is the latest in Ehrmann’s over 100-year history, sees two family-owned businesses come together to bring a new portfolio of dairy products to UK consumers.
Ehrmann plans to expand Trewithen’s facilities to open a state-of-the-art UK production plant at the site in Glynn Valley, Cornwall.
The facility is expected to open in 2026, accounting for 15% of Ehrmann’s global sales each year.
£20 million investment
The owners said that with the guiding principle of ‘from the family, for the family’, the Cornish dairy plant will start producing the full range of Ehrmann dessert products, such as High Protein and Grand Dessert.
Ehrmann dairy products are sold in over 75 countries around the world, from seven international production sites and nine international sales offices, generating over 1.1 billion euros each year.
In addition to its long-term commitment to grow sales of Trewithen’s portfolio of branded and own-label Cornish dairy products, Ehrmann will also make a significant £20 million investment in the dairy’s processing capacity and capabilities.
Opening up local UK production
Christian Ehrmann, chairman of Ehrmann SE, said: “Ehrmann has enjoyed success in the UK over the last two years working with major supermarket chains to bring new dairy tastes to consumers.
“The acquisition is highly significant as it opens up local UK production; enabling us to reduce the carbon footprint and guarantee the freshness of our products.
“Choosing Trewithen’s impressively high-quality Cornish milk production, we’re delighted to bring German product innovation together with the very best of British milk.”
He added that Ehrmann’s acquisition of Trewithen will bring together the leadership teams of both family businesses.
Roots in quality pastures
Trewithen Dairy at Greymare Farm in the Glynn Valley has been owned by the Clarke family since 1976.
The dairy farmers switched to crafting dairy products there in 1994, sourcing milk, cream and, more recently, butter and yoghurt from local cows to sell across the UK.
Francis Clarke, owner of Trewithen Dairy, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our roots in quality pastures and cows that produce some of the best milk in the world.
“Quality and sustainable growth are core values we share deeply with our new colleagues at Ehrmann. That’s why we decided to join forces to breathe fresh air into the Cornish dairy industry as we enter our next phase of expansion.”
The acquisition will secure the jobs of over 260 people currently working at Trewithen Dairy, and moving forward, it will lead to the creation of many new high-skilled roles for the local Cornish economy.
The businessmen added that, in addition, the expansion of the production plant will give dairy farmers in the region a major, stable purchaser for Cornwall’s milk supply, paying a competitive milk price based upon a guaranteed premium.
Paul Berne, CEO of Trewithen Dairy, added: “We’re delighted that we’re able to expand our offering, create more jobs in the local economy, and further bring the joy of quality Cornish produce to more tastebuds across the UK.
“The new products are already proven in other markets, so it’s great to be producing them with excellent British milk to be enjoyed by more British tastebuds.”
Since 2022, Ehrmann has been selling a range of products in the UK through major supermarkets such as Aldi, Morrisons, Iceland and more recently, Co-op.
As Ehrmann’s UK-produced range expands, the dairy food producer will increase the distribution of its products in the UK.
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