One of the largest dairies in Cornwall taken over by the German company

One of Cornwall’s biggest dairies has been taken over by a German dairy firm.

Ehrmann has today announced that it will open a manufacturing plant in the UK following the acquisition of Trewithen Dairy in Cornwall.

Ehrmann’s pudding products will be produced at the facility for distribution in the UK and are expected to represent 15% of Ehrmann’s global sales each year.

To do this, Ehrmann will expand the Trewithen facilities in the Glynn Valley, with the new manufacturing plant expected to open in 2026.

With the guiding principle ‘from the family, for the family’, the Cornish dairy will begin producing the full range of Ehrmann dessert products such as ‘High Protein’ and ‘Grand Dessert’.

Ehrmann dairy products are sold in more than 75 countries worldwide from seven international production facilities and nine international sales offices, generating more than 1.1 billion euros each year.

In the UK, its products have been sold at Aldi, Morrisons and Iceland since 2022, and more recently also the Co-op.

The company said that in addition to its long-term commitment to grow sales of Trewithen own-label and brand Cornish dairy products, it will make a “significant” £20m investment in capacity and milk processing capabilities.

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Christian Ehrmann, Chairman of Ehrmann SE, said: “Ehrmann has enjoyed success in the UK over the past two years, working with major supermarket chains to bring new dairy tastes to consumers.

“The acquisition is very significant as it opens up local production in the UK, allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint and guarantee the freshness of our products.

“By choosing Trewithen’s impressive high quality milk production, we are delighted to bring German product innovation to the best of British dairy.”

Trewithen Dairy is the trading name of Cornish Farm Dairy Ltd. 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.

Both firms are said to be long-established family businesses.

Trewithen Dairy, at Greymare Farm in the Glynn Valley, has been owned by the Clarke family since 1976. Dairy farmers switched to dairying there in 1994, sourcing milk, cream and more recently butter and yoghurt from local cows to sell. over the UK.

Francis Clarke said: “We are incredibly proud of our roots in quality pasture and cows that produce some of the best milk in the world.

“Quality and sustainable growth are core values ​​that we deeply share with our new colleagues at Ehrmann. That’s why we’ve decided to join forces to breathe fresh air into the Cornish dairy industry as we enter our next phase of expansion.”

Bill and Francis Clarke from Trewithen Dairy on the It Runs In The Family podcast in 2022

The companies said the acquisition will secure the jobs of more than 260 people currently working at Trewithen Dairy and will further lead to the creation of many new skilled roles.

They went on to add that the expansion of the production plant will provide dairy farmers in the region with a “major and stable buyer for Cornwall’s milk supply, paying a competitive milk price based on a guaranteed premium”.

Paul Berne, CEO of Trewithen Dairy, said: “We are delighted to be able to expand our offering, create more jobs in the local economy and continue to bring the joy of quality Cornish produce to more taste buds across the UK .

“The new products are already proven in other markets, so it’s great to produce them with great British milk to be enjoyed by more British taste buds.”