A north west producer of goat's milk products has opened its first office overseas as it aims to exploit opportunities in the Far East.
Delamere Dairy produces and supplies goat's milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt, as well as milk for pets under its TopLife Formula brand to supermarkets including Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose.
Currently 10 per cent of its revenues are generated through exports but the Cheshire-based company is hoping for a significant increase after establishing a presence in Hong Kong. It also aims to move into the US market.
Its products are currently sold in Poland, Holland, Italy, the Czech Republic and the Middle East.
Liz Sutton, who founded the company 25 years ago with husband Roger, said they had identified potential to sell their long life UHT goat's milk as well as TopLife products in Asia.
“There is demand. In China, for example, there are a lot of powdered milk products and we believe there is an opportunity to sell our UHT milk, which has a six-month shelf life.
“We are hoping to make significant inroads into the Asian market by having a base in Hong Kong.”
Delamere, which is based in Knutsford and employs 17 staff, grew turnover by eight per cent to £15.2m in 2010 and is aiming to achieve revenues of £16m this year.
In the UK, it has launched a range of soya milk in Asda stores. The products, which are available in sweetened and unsweetened formats, are prepared using organically certified non-GM soya beans from sustainable sources.
The firm said the products were aimed as an alternative for customers with an allergy or intolerance to dairy milk.
Liz said: “We have previously sold soya milk, so we have some experience in the market, but we recognised there was an opportunity to launch our own branded products.”
She added: “Our growth has been static over the last three years but we are hoping that, by developing new products and a push in our exports, we will increase sales.
“Our pet milk products are also playing a significant part in our growth. Turnover for TopLife was £1.5m for 2010 and has great potential to increase.
“Goat’s milk is very popular for puppies and kittens, as pet owners have recognised its digestive qualities”
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