MMD buys out cheese maker
MMD buys out cheese maker
MILK MARQUE Developments has increased its presence in the premium mature Cheddar market by buying Somerset cheese maker North Bradon Farm from Murray Vernon Holdings for an undisclosed sum.
The business produces about 4000t of traditionally made farmhouse Cheddar and territorial cheese under supermarket labels as well as its own North Bradon brand. Total business is worth an estimated £12m a year.
The purchase, together with the recent doubling of capacity at the Aeron Valley plant in Wales, takes MMDs cheese making capacity to 12,000t.
The move means MMD is well on the way to creating demand for 1bn litres of Milk Marque milk by the end of 2000, says chairman Andrew Dare. Cheese making, through expansion of existing plant and further joint ventures or acquisitions, will account for 200m litres of milk a year. The new butter and milk powder plant in Devon will take a further 600-750m litres a year. *