Grahams The Family Dairy breaks 1m profit barrier and surpasses 40m turnover with increased UK presence

Scotlands largest independent dairy company, Grahams The Family Dairy, has announced today (4 November) record year-end results to 31 March 2010.  Turnover increased to 41,387,790 (2009: 40m) and pre-tax profits jumped 28 per cent to 1,051,247 (2009: 820,959).

Robert Graham, managing director of Grahams The Family Dairy and grandson of its founder, said:  We have made a significant investment in product innovation and developing the Grahams brand, which for the first time in its 71 year history now has UK-wide distribution.

Our traditional values of integrity, loyalty and excellent service are at the heart of everything we do.  Success comes from the passion and commitment we have for our business, the quality of our products and as farmers ourselves, enjoying a long-standing relationship with many loyal Scottish farmers who we are proud to maintain a fair price for their high quality milk.

We most recently acquired Claymore Dairies marking our 25th acquisition in recent years.  The dairy at Balmakeith in Nairn produces Highland Fresh, increasing our presence in the Highlands where our family has historical roots.

Grahams is currently undertaking a major investment programme to expand its butter plant in Bridge of Allan and will be launching new product lines during 2011 including the first spreadable butter from a Scottish dairy.

Robert Graham added:  This year has also seen the Grahams range of conventional milks, butters, creams and ice-cream refreshed under an exciting brand evolution programme launched at the Royal Highland Show.  Based on consumer research and supported by a six figure investment, this initiative has further reinforced our brand values of family, heritage and farming.

As a Stirlingshire-based family dairy, the Scottish market is at the heart of our business and we aim to continue growing our market share at home through brand and product development.  The family and our staff are proud that as awareness of the brand develops, we are steadily driving sales and increasing our market presence in England.  We remain grateful to our customers who believe in us and remain an integral part of our growth.

Dr Robert Graham, chairman of the family dairy and the son of the founder, added: After 71 years of successful dairy farming we have remained true to our strong farming roots.  I have a firm belief in consistently delivering quality and of course enjoying a strong bond and valued friendships with fellow farmers across the country.

Significant achievements over Grahams past financial year include:

• Grahams Gold, its indulgent, creamy range of Jersey products was the first Grahams branded product to be distributed south of the border and can now be found nationally through Sainsburys stores;

• Grahams launched the UKs first 1% organic milk in response to its discerning consumers growing appetite for its organic portfolio.  It is available through more than 500 Sainsburys stores across the UK;

• Grahams launched seven new melt-in-the-mouth ice cream flavours – in addition to its successful vanilla variants – Grahams Scottish Dairy range of delicious Mint-Choc-Chip, Chocolate, Strawberry and Raspberry Ripple.  Organic consumers can enjoy the tasty Chocolate option while the luxuriously creamy Grahams Gold range is available in Dark Chunky Chocolate Chip and mouth-watering Strawberry Pieces;

• The growth of Grahams organic skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk portfolio which has grown to be worth over 4m to the business and accounts for 15% of all milk sales by Grahams The Family Dairy;

• Grahams Gold was voted by judges best in category at the 2009 Royal Highland Show and the vanilla ice-cream range was named by Sainsburys as its Best Product Launch in Frozen Category;

• Grahams  butter range scooped an unprecedented five gold accolades at this years Royal Highland Show, including overall championship butter for Grahams slightly salted;

• Dr Graham further cemented his familys links with the University of Stirling when he and his wife Jean donated 30,000 to support the rebuilding of the library creating of a dedicated reading room called The Robert and Jean Graham Reading Room within the archive section of the 11.7 million new library

Robert Graham concluded:  Im very proud of my family and their role in the growth of the business but especially my father and Grahams chairman, Dr Robert Graham who was awarded a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies by the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland for dedicating his life to Scottish dairy farming and showing.

The Grahams have farmed in the Stirling area for five generations, employ 400 staff and partner with more than 50 Scottish farmers.