I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.Expanded north west dairy wants more milk
Cosumers who will cross the road to look for milk that is actually cheaper than bottled water are doing more damage to British dairying than anyone, says the boss of an expanding dairy.
FYLDE Dairies, whose business prides itself on milk quality, has pledged not to do business with retail outlets that seriously devalue milk and the investment of farmers that produce it.
Managing director Howey Hegarty’s Fylde Dairies has, in under three years, grown from 2.8million litres to some 25million and a turnover of £7.5-£8 million - and he is now anxious to sign up more producers who can demonstrate a commitment to quality.
Fylde’s producer contract currently pays a base price of 24p/litre.
“I always said I wanted to be paying the best milk price and it is certainly not where I want it to be - but we will get there,” said Mr Hegarty.
A sudden and significant expansion of the business came with the demise of DFB. Mr Hegarty signed up 14 more farmers, initially on a milk brokering basis but with the promise they would be on Fylde’s ‘proper’ contract within six months.
A new deal to supply several hundred convenience stores in the region has, however, swallowed up most of the extra volume and within six to eight weeks, he says, will not have any of that additional volume left.
The growth of the business has meant the purchase of additional large premises on the outskirts of Preston which will become the firm’s new headquarters.
Alongside the main building, a new stand-alone fridge has been built to cater for new business with doorstep roundsmen, and one of the big four supermarkets is looking to expand the supply of Fylde Dairies’ ‘local’ brand milk into more of its stores.
Currently moving some 250,000 litres of milk weekly, Mr Hegarty says this will soon increase by 100,000 litres.
Share
