Written by John Swire
Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and producers of renewable energy today announce their working partnership with Westland Cheese.
The Westland / Wyke Farms partnership was developed following a market prioritisation study to identify key areas with biggest potential. The study covered global macro trends, key industry, market, trade and societal drivers in the international cheese market. Through the study, Holland and Germany were identified as key markets for growth.
Wyke Farms have selected Westland Cheese as their chosen distributor for several reasons, namely: effective marketing and selling function; their ability to reach the Dutch and German markets has been proven over the past 80 years with the world-renowned Dutch Gouda ‘Old Amsterdam’ brand. Akin to Wyke Farms, Westland are a strong family business and place value on corporate social responsibility with an established ‘Family Trust’ supporting cultural events. And finally, Westland Cheese also have a sustainability programme that underpins all of their work.
As part of a strategic approach to selling in the market, in 2019 an independent consumer taste test was commissioned in three German cities, where Wyke Farms Cheddars were panelled against the competitive sets. The Wyke Cheddars were unanimously voted as the ‘best tasting’. Listings have already been secured by Westland for the brand with many more in progress.
“Quality produce from Great Britain has being very well received in European markets” says Rich Clothier, 3rd generation cheesemaker and managing director at Wyke Farms, he continues: “the time is right for us to increase our offering into these regions and have chosen the best partner to help us do this”
“We are delighted to develop a strategic partnership with a family business that holds strong and similar values to our own” says Henny Westland managing director at Westland Cheese, she continues: “at an unprecedented time of change, these values, quality of products and way of doing business have a clear competitive advantage and point of difference to consumers in the market”
Wyke Farms have successfully been exporting cheddar to over 160 countries for the past 20 years. The Wyke Farms’ cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset.
In the UK Wyke Farms products are available in selected Lidl stores and in the South West, ASDA, CO-OP and Tesco stores. All products are available online at: www.wykefarms.com/shop
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