March 7, 2014
The Irish Dairy Board (IDB) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Adams Foods and First Milk, the UK dairy co-operative, have formally completed a long term, strategic cheese supply partnership. The strategic partnership further strengthens Adams Foods’ position as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Irish and British cheese to major retailers and foodservice customers in the UK.
The completion of the transaction follows approval from both the UK’s Office of Fair Trading and Irish Competition Authority for the development of a secure, efficient and fully integrated supply chain for hard cheese in the UK retail, foodservice and wholesale sectors.
Commenting on the announcement, Kevin Lane, CEO, IDB said:
“Adams Foods strategic partnership with First Milk strengthens our dairy product offering to customers in the UK by adding a sustainable supply of British cheese. Over the past 30 years we have had great success in bringing premium Irish dairy products to the UK market through great brands such as Kerrygold, Pilgrims Choice and MU. We are excited about adding another crucial part to our portfolio on our journey to becoming a complete,and added value long-term supplier to the critically important UK market.”
The partnership will reinforce Adams Foods’ position as a leading supplier of both British and Irish cheese in the UK, with a turnover of around £500 million. Adams Foods will utilise its best-in-class facility at Leek in Staffordshire to cut, pack and market the high quality hard cheeses, including branded cheddars, produced at First Milk.
The partnership will commence integration from 12 March 2014.