German dairy giant acquires leading West firm Trewithen
ONE of Cornwall’s best-known food brands has been acquired by German dairy giant Ehrmann, with plans to open a new production facility as it expands its reach into the British market.
Trewithen Dairy, based in the Glynn Valley near Lostwithiel, will start producing the full range of Ehrmann yoghurts and desserts, which are sold in 75 countries around the world from seven international production sites and nine sales offices, generating over €1.1 billion 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 £20 million investment in the dairy’s processing capacity and capabilities. This includes a new state-ofthe-art production facility set to open in 2026 which will produce Ehrmann puddings; expected to account for 15% of its annual global sales.
Christian Ehrmann, chairman of Ehrmann, 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.”
The move – the latest in Ehrmann’s over 100-year history – will secure the jobs of over 260 people currently working at Trewithen Dairy, with plans to create “many new high skilled roles” in the future. The expansion of the production plant is also set to 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.
Mr Ehrmann added that Ehrmann’s acquisition of Trewithen Dairy will “bring together the leadership teams” of both companies, which are “long established, well respected, family-run companies that share a passion for producing a wide range of high quality dairy products”.
Trewithen Dairy, based at Greymare Farm, has been owned by the Clarke family since 1976. The Clarkes switched to crafting dairy products there in 1994, sourcing high quality milk from herds within a strict 25-mile radius to produce award-winning butter, clotted cream, milk and yoghurt for major retailers across the UK.
The UK business will continue to be known as Trewithen Dairy, while its registered name will change from Cornish Farm Dairy Ltd to Ehrmann Cornish Dairy Ltd.
Company owner and director, Francis Clarke, 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.”
Paul Berne, chief executive of Trewithen Dairy, added: “We’re delighted that we’re able to expand our offering, create more jobs in the local economy.”