Funding supports a taste for Cornwall’s finest

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Glynn Valley lies a business that pours family values into its produce to make something they are immensely proud of.

With a long history in farming, the Clarke family know a thing or two about producing milk having started in 1976. However, it was a need to diversify, a desire to be different and an entrepreneurial spark by father of the family Bill Clarke in 1994 that started them on the path of crafting dairy products. Some twenty years later and Trewithen Dairy is rather more than the home kitchen clotted cream production unit that is once was.

One of just two clotted cream producers in Cornwall that can proudly boast the Protected Designation of Origin status, Trewithen Dairy is building a business in Cornwall that is making the most of its roots.

Arguably the biggest turning point in the business’s history was the £6m of European funding in 2010. This investment was matched by a further £6m of private sector finance, part of the over £90m of private sector matched funding that was attracted to match European funding between 2007 and 2013. It was this injection of finance that brought to fruition the vision the family had to create a genuinely world beating dairy production facility that would allow growth and diversification.

This brave development, overseen by son Francis, the company’s Managing Director, now sees the facility carrying an industry quality rated AA* award held by only 2% of the world’s dairy production facilities. It is this level of excellence that is at the heart of the plans for growth into the future and is opening doors into lucrative markets.

Not that Trewithen hasn’t already come a very long way. The company employs 150 full-time staff as well as 30 part-time staff creating important jobs and careers for the area. In addition they have recently added five new senior level posts offering more high level jobs attracting and retaining fantastic talent. These are just a handful of more than 11,000 new jobs created between 2007 and 2013 thanks to European funding.

As well as looking after their staff or rather, their “family” as Trewithen would put it; they look after their milk suppliers. Having ceased milk production in 2001 the dairy needed to ensure they have a supply of the raw ingredient that would allow them to become the business they are today.

Trewithen Dairy is supplied by 25 farms all of which are located within a 25 miles radius of the dairy’s headquarters near Lostwithiel. This is important to the Clarke family who want to ensure their customers receive a product that has been lovingly cared for and that starts quite literally in the field. The family is quick to point out that not all milk is the same and they reward their farmers for delivering a premium supply with a premium price. This was established initially during the funding investment phase of the business but the benefits to all involved was quick to be seen so this has been sustained and paying a premium price to its suppliers is continued today.

Trewithen Dairy MD Francis Clarke said, “At Trewithen Dairy we set ourselves the highest possible standards. To deliver our long-term business plan and position our crafted dairy products as something really special, we needed to create the very best facilities we could dream of. The foundation of the business is our world class production unit which we built with significant European funding. We then apply the family ethos to the way we work which has resulted in a range of products we are proud to sell across the country and contribute to Cornwall’s economy.”

Julian German, Cornwall Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, said, “Trewithen Dairy is an exemplary business carrying the Cornish brand to a far reaching audience. Not only has European investment ensured that now 150 staff can directly benefit from the growth of this business but also the wider agricultural supply chain. Producers paying premium prices for high quality raw materials like milk make a critical difference to the sustainability our farmers.”

Trewithen Dairy have demonstrated the appetite for Cornish food and drink produce across the UK. The European investment has supported them to a position where they are contributing to the people and the economic prosperity of Cornwall as well as protecting the countryside by rewarding careful and considerate farming practices.

Ends

Note to editors

For further information please contact Alex Ledbrooke, Engagement Officer, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ITI Support Team (European Structural and Investment Funds) on 07854 039960 / 01872 322693 or email aledbrooke@cornwall.gov.uk

Contact details
Trisha Hewitt
Corporate Communications Manager
Customers and Communities Service
Communities and Organisational Development Directorate
Cornwall Council
Tel: 01872 32 2186
Mobile: 07785 956 865
phewitt@cornwall.gov.uk
Room 4S, New County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro TR1 3AY
www.cornwall.gov.uk

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