Morrisons has selected Scotland’s largest independently owned dairy company, Graham’s The Family Dairy, to supply Graham’s own brand milk and butter products to its stores throughout Scotland.
From March 2015, Morrisons will stock six of Graham’s best-selling milk and butter products – Graham’s Scottish salted and unsalted block butter as well as Graham’s 2 Litre Whole milk, Graham’s 2 Litre Semi-Skimmed milk and Graham’s 2 Litre Skimmed milk. Graham’s The Family Dairy Gold Top Jersey milk will also be stocked in 500 Morrisons’ stores nationwide.
In a sign of the growing demand for local produce Graham’s The Family Dairy’s block butter recently overtook its Danish rival to become the best-selling butter brand in Scotland. The family farming and dairy business has established itself as a top 10 Scottish brand, ranking 7th in the latest Kantar Worldpanel research of the most popular take-home food and non-alcoholic drink brands.
Commenting on the announcement, Graham’s The Family Dairy managing director, Robert Graham, said: “Graham’s The Family Dairy works in partnership with more than 90 farmers so our extended relationship with Morrisons guarantees that more consumers have access to milk and butter products from Scotland.
“We are a trusted family brand with quality and service at our core. Almost half of the households in Scotland now buy Graham’s products so these new listings reinforce our commitment, and ability, to supply the highest quality Scottish produce and builds on our established relationship with Morrisons.
“Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Food Richard Lochhead MSP recently urged more retailers to stock and promote Scotland’s exceptional dairy products and Morrisons should be recognised for its growing commitment to the sector.”
David Gardner, Morrisons’ managing director – Scotland, added: “We are delighted to join Graham’s in announcing that we will stock six of their best-selling milk and butter products as well as their premium Gold Top jersey milk.
“We believe Graham’s Dairy can provide a great alternative offer to our Scottish customers. With the Scottish dairy industry facing challenging times, this is great news for the sector and reaffirms our support for Scottish food and drink.”
The Graham’s have been dairy farmers for three generations and the Bridge of Allan-based business started in 1939 supplying local homes and independent shops. Graham’s products can now be found the length and breadth of the country via more than 6,000 customers from independent retailers to hotels and restaurants as well as all the major multiples.
Notes to editors:
- Graham’s products can now be found the length and breadth of the country via more than 6,000 customers from independent retailers to hotels and restaurants as well as all the major multiples including Waitrose, Tesco and Asda, with Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco, Asda also stocking Graham’s branded goods south of the border.
- Graham’s The Family Dairy recorded sales of more than £85 million in the year to 31 March 2014, up from £68m in the preceding 12 months. ·
- In 1939 when the company was founded by Robert Graham – the grandfather of the current managing director Robert Graham (Jnr) – he reared 12 cows, milked them by hand then made all deliveries by horse and cart ·
- When founded daily output amounted to 400 pints. The company is now producing more than 700,000 pints on a daily basis.
- Graham’s The Family Dairy is Scotland’s largest independent dairy producing an award winning range of milk, butter, cream, ice cream and cheese as well as Graham’s Gold Jersey range. · The company has established itself as a top 10 Scottish brand, ranking 7th in the latest Kantar Worldpanel research. ·
- At the 2014 Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards, Graham’s The Family Dairy won the Business of the Year award and the Brand Success of the Year award with the Entrepreneur of the Year award going to Robert Graham. ·
- Other award accolades during 2014 include the Chairman’s Award for First Time Entrants at the Marketing Society Scotland Star Awards and Carol Graham being named Fife & Central Scotland Regional Director of the Year at the IoD Scotland Awards.
