Kintyre dairy firm expansion secures funding

Isle of Kintyre Limited produces wet and soft cheese from raw milk and speciality cheeses from re-processed cheddar. Its range includes flavoured cheddar, sold in waxed truckles and novelty shapes.

The company is seeing a recovery in orders after a significant decline during the pandemic. It is now carrying out a £376,000 expansion of its cheese production line and reconfiguring its operations to make more efficient use of its Campbeltown premises.

The project is forecast to create five full time equivalent posts and double the company’s turnover within three years.

The HIE funding will contribute towards the costs of waxing and labelling equipment, linked to the wider upgrade.

Morag Goodfellow, HIE area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said:

“The continued growth of our food and drink industry is a crucial to Scotland’s economic recovery. Here in Argyll, Isle of Kintyre Limited is very much part of that, providing valuable rural employment opportunities, which in turn helps to sustain population and community resilience.

“As the company expands into new markets, it needs to be able to process larger orders, including from outside the UK. The new waxing and labelling equipment is essential in meeting that need. It will also help cut the firm’s energy consumption, thereby contributing to the transition to a net zero economy.

“We are very pleased to be able to provide this support and look forward to continuing to work with the company as it implements these plans and brings new benefits for the Kintyre economy.”

Isle of Kintyre Limited is important to local dairy farmers, who are both suppliers of raw milk for wet cheese production and buyers of block cheddar, produced with Kintyre milk, for re-processing. The firm has a key role in retaining a market for cheese and providing employment in an artisan trade.

Director David Eaton said:

“These have been very difficult times but we continued with the planned expansion despite falling income. This would not have been possible without the assistance we have received.

“I believe we are now placed to make the best of all opportunities as they arise with increased capacity, increased efficiency and increased quality assurance.”