Welsh creamery’s new unit to safeguard 100 jobs

SCC confirmed that the 100 jobs at its creamery had been safeguarded, thanks to the building of the new production site.

The new plant – which started cheese production last week – was built at the company’s site in Chiwilog, North Wales.

Md Alan Wyn Jones said: “Although it’s currently a very challenging period for both milk producers and processors, it is vital that we continue to invest for the future.​

“Our objective now is to get the new factory to its full processing capacity as quickly as possible and that will be achieved in partnership with our key customers and our product innovation programme.”​

Boost the local economy​

The construction of the new production unit had also helped to boost the local economy, since the contract was awarded to a local construction firm, said the business.

“Our new cheese factory provides us with best-in-class production facilities that will further support our growth strategy with both existing and new customers,” ​said Jones.

The UK dairy industry had the lowest level of investment compared with the six largest European exporting countries, according to agricultural consultantcy Promar International.

‘Very challenging period’​

South Caernarfon Creameries is owned by its 125 Welsh farmer member suppliers. Member John Gwynant Hughes said: “We are pleased that the business is forward-thinking and investing in our future in what is a very challenging period.”​

The new factory increased the capacity of cheese produced from 9,000t to 12,000t a year. The company said production could increase to 17,000t a year, if it achieved its growth objectives.

Construction of the site began in April last year and was said to be the first new cheese factory to be built in the UK since the 1970s.

SCC opened first in the 1930s and began producing cheese in 1959. It produces cheeses and butter sold nationwide in supermarkets including Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and Asda.

Meanwhile, don’t miss our exclusive interview with the head of Ornua Ingredients UK​, Aidan Wilson, who explained the progress of plans to integrate two dairy companies and the firm’s expansion plans.