Dairy Partners opens state of the art factory to increase cheese production

Dairy Partners, which claims to be the UK’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and pizza cheese, will increase its production of further processed chilled and IQF cheese and dairy products following its £25 million investment into a new factory.

Becoming one of the most advanced dairy facilities in Europe, Dairy Partners’ purpose-built site in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire will have capacity to process and pack fifty thousand tonnes of dairy products per year; the majority of which will be supplied from its dairy in West Wales.

Dairy Partners says that it continues to lead the way in sustainable dairy manufacturing and as a further commitment to the ‘Dairy UK Climate Carbon Reduction Plan’, the new factory having been built to incorporate high-spec sustainable technology. This includes solar energy production, water harvesting, heat recovery for office heating and cooling and construction that utilises BAT (Best Available Techniques) materials and processes to minimise heat loss and energy consumption.

Will Bennett, managing director at Dairy Partners said: “Our new facility has given us the opportunity to significantly increase our output whilst aligning with our company ethos and proud British heritage. The factory has been built with our staff in mind and the team are excited to be working from this state-of-the-art facility that includes a canteen and open decking area to positively support their wellbeing.

“For customers, our new facility means more product, more choice and more innovation as our new machinery allows us to explore and introduce other product lines. New and existing customers can continue to have the confidence that all our products can be traced right the way through the supply chain back to British farms.”

Boasting some of the most advanced dairy manufacturing machinery, the facility is home to new technology including automatic packing solutions for all production lines. IQF shredded, chilled shredded and functional processed cheese lines will all benefit from a faster production process.

Dairy Partners Cymru Wales was established in 1938 and has been operating a processing plant in Wales making mozzarella blocks from fresh, locally sourced milk ever since. In support of its proud British heritage, the company introduced a direct milk supply contract with around 150 local farmers to not only significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its products but to support the local economy and employment.

Dairy Partners’ recently opened facility in Gloucestershire is the company’s new head office and processing plant, further boosting the businesses reputation as a local company with a global reach. It is anticipated that this new factory will support and enable company growth and development as Dairy Partners continues to be the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of British mozzarella, pizza cheese and other pasta filata cheese products.

The company has become a trusted supplier to all non-retail dairy buying sectors worldwide and turns over more than £130 million, serving companies large and small around the world.