The strategic partnerships outlined below are clear examples of how the British dairy industry can work together to forge a sustainable future. At Milk Link, we are committed to being at the forefront of such developments and will seek to identify and exploit further synergies across the industry.
Westbury Dairies
Westbury Dairies is our joint venture with dairy co-operative First Milk and produces milk powders, bulk butter and cream. Milk Link holds one third of the equity whilst both co-operatives underwrite the costs of the plant and are represented on the main Board of Westbury Dairies.
With ongoing volatility in dairy ingredient prices and UK milk production, both Milk Link and First Milk believe that Westbury not only provides the security of having full access to the UK's foremost milk balancing facility but also that there is potential to develop the business.
Robert Wiseman Dairies
In June 2006, Milk Link secured a strategic, long-term, milk supply agreement with Robert Wiseman Dairies. The agreement to supply milk to Robert Wiseman’s new West Country fresh liquid milk dairy, being built near Bridgwater in Somerset, provides us with a profitable and secure outlet for 110 million litres of milk per annum over the next three years.
Rodda’s Creamery
In March 2007, we entered into a long term strategic partnership with Rodda’s Creamery, the highly successful Cornish Clotted Cream manufacturer. The agreement means that Milk Link is the sole supplier of high quality Cornish milk to Rodda’s Creamery with the creation of a dedicated Rodda’s Producer Group formed by Milk Link Members in West Cornwall. The partnership reinforced the already strong relationship between Rodda’s Creamery and Milk Link and is providing greater operational and logistical efficiencies.
Yeo Valley and OMSCo
In May 2007 we announced the establishment of two important and complementary partnerships in relation to the organic dairy sector. We appointed OMSCo to undertake the marketing and haulage of our organic milk pool. At the same time, Milk Link formed a strategic partnership with Yeo Valley to produce and market a range of top quality organic cheeses under the Yeo Valley Organic brand.
Both agreements mean a major step forward in the development of the organic dairy market. Through closer co-operation we will be able to leverage cost savings, create greater market stability and build further customer confidence through being able to deliver innovative products, higher service levels and security of supply. In particular, we believe there is a strong opportunity to grow sales of organic cheese through combining the undoubted strength of the Yeo Valley Organic brand with the unrivalled cheese making reputation of Milk Link.
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