Family owned Cornish dairy is snapped up by German giant

A family owned dairy in Cornwall has been sold to a German owned business for an undisclosed amount.

As part of the deal Ehrmann will invest £20m in Trewithen Dairy as it looks to grow the business.

Ehrmann, which has been selling its products in the UK for two years, said the deal would open up local production.

The investment includes a new factory in the Glynn Valley.

The plant, expected to open in 2026, will produce Ehrmann products such as its High Protein and Grand Dessert using local milk.

Ehrmann, which is more than 100 years old, added it will increase sales of Trewithen’s portfolio of branded and own-label Cornish dairy products.

Christian Ehrmann, chairman of Ehrmann SE, said: “The acquisition is highly significant as it opens up local UK production; enabling us to reduce the carbon footprint and guarantee the freshness of our products.

“Choosing Trewithen’s impressively high-quality Cornish milk production, we’re delighted to bring German product innovation together with the very best of British milk.”

Ehrmann’s acquisition of Trewithen will bring together the leadership teams of both family businesses.

Trewithen Dairy, based at Greymare Farm in the Glynn Valley, has been owned by the Clarke family since 1976.

The dairy farmers switched to crafting dairy products there in 1994, sourcing milk, cream and, more recently, butter and yoghurt from local cows to sell across the UK.

“We’re incredibly proud of our roots in quality pastures and cows that produce some of the best milk in the world”, said Francis Clarke.

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

The 260 staff working at Trewithen Dairy will remain in place following the deal, with Ehrmann planning to create more roles as it expands the business.

Paul Berne, chief executive of Trewithen Dairy, added: “We’re delighted that we’re able to expand our offering, create more jobs in the local economy, and further bring the joy of quality Cornish produce to more tastebuds across the UK. The new products are already proven in other markets, so it’s great to be producing them with excellent British milk to be enjoyed by more British tastebuds.”