First Milk acquires manufacturer BV Dairy

Established in 1958, BV Dairy produces a range of fresh dairy products – such as cheese yoghurt, mascarpone and clotted cream – for food manufacturers and the foodservice sector, as well as providing manufacturing solutions.

Commenting on the acquisition, First Milk chief executive Shelagh Hancock said: “I am delighted to complete the acquisition of BV Dairy, a successful family-owned business, which shares many common values with First Milk. We look forward to welcoming the wider BV Dairy family into our First Milk family.   ​

“The BV Dairy business has strong customer relationships and a reputation for quality and service across food manufacture and food service. This provides a genuine extension to our business, extending our manufacturing and market reach, offering a platform for the further growth and development of our business.”  ​

Reaping new benefits

Vice-chairman and farmer director Mike Smith said the deal built on First Milk’s existing strengths while reaping new benefits for its members and colleagues as it extends its regenerative positioning into a broader range of products.

DV Dairy managing director Jim Highnam added: “Having made the decision to sell the business, we wanted to ensure that the new owners would provide a secure future for our customers, colleagues, farmers and suppliers. ​

“As such, I’m pleased to finalise this transaction and see BV Dairy become part of First Milk, as both businesses share a down-to-earth, pragmatic approach, balancing the needs of all stakeholders. I look forward to working with our new First Milk colleagues to continue to grow and develop BV Dairy.” ​

More about

First Milk is a British-owned farmer collective owned by around 700 farming families spread across the country. It employs about 220 colleague across its cheese production sites in the Lake District and Pembrokeshire and its head office.

A certified B corporation, First Milk was one of 15 companies recognised in the first ever King’s Awards for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2023.

Meanwhile,, earlier this month, the Compleat Food Group has acquired SK Foods and Zorba Food​​ from The Entrepreneurial Food Group for an undisclosed sum.

Chilled party food manufacturer SK and dips and deli fillings producer Zerba have a combined turnover of more than £160m and hires more than 1,150 people.