UK cheese maker Wyke Farms is to double the capacity of its dairy as part of a five-year growth plan.
It has been granted planning permission to re-build its Bruton facility in Somerset, in England’s south west.
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Wyke Farms’ five-year plan includes increasing brand presence in export markets in preparation for post-Brexit trade and launching “export-targeted” products throughout 2019.
The new dairy expansion project, titled ‘Ivy’s Dairy’ after Wyke Farms’ matriarch Ivy Clothier, will create a 16,589 sq m production facility.
Wyke Farms said the investment – of an undisclosed amount – will build a sustainable long-term future and build sufficient infrastructure for servicing increased sales of cheese in both the UK and export markets.
Richard Clothier, third generation family member and managing director, said: “Our strategy of selling into a growing export market has been very successful; it generates revenue that allows us to mitigate against the risks that a volatile dairy sector and a disrupted UK retail sector may bring.
“The new dairy is crucial to facilitate the growth and meet global demand.”
Wyke Farms’ turnover for the year ending March 2018 reached a record GBP85m (US$111.9m), a 26% increase on the previous year.
Read: UK cheese maker Wyke Farms eyes more mature export business – interview
