The first stage of a major expansion for the Carmarthenshire Cheese Company gets under way this year when it moves into new purpose designed premises with the capacity to more than double production and create ten new jobs with Welsh Government support.
The £250,000 investment by Carmarthenshire Cheese Company is supported by £100,000 from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund which will safeguard the existing 12 jobs and create a further ten jobs at the new facility in Boksburg Hall, Llanllwch, Carmarthenshire.
The business was set up by in 2006 by husband and wife team Steve and Sian Peace, both food technologists by training who have extensive experience working both in the dairy food manufacturing industry and as consultants to the agri-food sector.
They have built Carmarthenshire Cheese Company, which is currently based in two units at Food Centre Wales, Horeb, into one of Wales’ leading artisan cheese manufacturers supplying major supermarkets, independent specialists, food service and export markets with their award winning products.
Their current base is now at full capacity with no room for expansion. Their phased move, due to be concluded at the end of the year, will enable them to fit out the facility with the latest equipment, improving efficiency and increasing capacity to meet the growing demand for their products.
In the last year Carmarthenshire Cheese Company produced 105 tonnes of cheese which is forecast to increase to 150 tonnes this year with the aim of exceeding c 200 tonnes annually.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart, who visited the company last year, said:” I am very pleased to hear how the Fund is helping a very successful Welsh company expand, increase its competitiveness and create new jobs. The investment by Carmarthenshire Cheese Company will also have a beneficial knock on effect on the wider economy as the company sources its products and services locally wherever possible.”
Director Steve Peace said:” The increased interest in sourcing regional and local products acted as the major springboard for our business – we saw the opportunity to enter a niche market, providing high quality speciality cheeses with a distinct modern brand and image.
“It has worked very well and we continue to innovate. The move continues our programme of investment so we can service the market as we see it developing. Funding from the Welsh Government enabled us to accelerate our plans so we can be first to market with new products and ideas.
“The move is vital for the long term sustainability and growth of our business – we are currently at full capacity and need space to increase manufacturing, for storage and to enter the direct retail market.”
Carmarthenshire Cheese Company’s four key ranges include Pont Gar soft white moulded cheese, Llangloffan farmhouse hard cheese, the Boksburg Blue range and the Carmarthenshire range of Goats Cheese.
The company also contract manufactures for companies in Wales and England and its own products are distributed via Castell Howell and others, with new export markets now opening up in Japan, Hong Kong, Canada and Sweden through Coombe Castle International distributers.