Dairy Crest has announced that it will invest £75 million to increase the production capacity of its creamery in Davidstow, Cornwall.
This investment will enable the facility to process an additional 200 million litres of milk annually, which will expand the company’s cheese production capacity from 54,000 tonnes to 77,000 tonnes over the next five years.
Dairy Crest claims that the expansion will enhance the growth of its leading Cathedral City and Davidstow cheese brands, increase whey production and will reduce the environmental impact of the facility.
The company claims that the expansion has been approved to respond to the growing demand for cheese products is rising in the UK, Europe, China and the US, especially for cheese snack products.
Meanwhile, the production of whey used for infant nutrition products will also significantly increase as a result of the expansion.
Water usage at the plant will be significantly reduced, as the upgraded facility will allow more water to be recycled back into the creamery, making reducing the plant’s environmental impact.
Mark Allen, chief executive of Dairy Crest, said: “Dairy Crest is proud of the role it plays in the economy of the South West, and this £85 million investment is a vote of confidence in the Cathedral City brand, our employees and our farmers.
“The partnership we have with our farmers is absolutely crucial to our business and this investment should give them the confidence to invest in their own businesses, increase their productivity and enhance their important role in protecting the rural environment.
“As a major local employer, we are committed to being a responsible member of the community in Davidstow, and we have planned this investment carefully to minimise the impact of our creamery on the local environment and to become self-sufficient in water use.
“This is good news for the economy of the South West and for Britain’s farming sector. We hope that this investment will increase confidence and resilience when and where it is needed most.”
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