Lactalis has been a superpower in the cheese making world for many years, with purchases of many brands globally. It is now further strengthening its hand in European and British cheese making with the announcement last Friday that it is purchasing Saputo UK’s operations, which include iconic brands such as Cathedral City and Wensleydale. 

The Davidstow creamery will put up another new owner sign, having swapped the Dairy Crest one for Saputo back in 2019. It will be found under the Lactalis UK & Ireland (Lactalis Mclelland) branch, and this is expected to conclude subject to regulatory approvals by March 2027. The Lactalis UK & Ireland brand range includes items we regularly consume here at the house and this will add to the collection. See photo.  

Lactalis has a habit of buying these companies and then letting them get on with it, it seems. I know that with one recent purchase down in the Southern Hemisphere, the company was quite enthusiastic about the benefits the dairy giant could bring to their operations.  

Is the global takeover of these brands by Lactalis a good thing? We shall see. The British artisanal cheese makers work terribly hard and there are many quality brands who are making innovative products while still being family-owned – Heler Foods, Wyke Farms, Butlers, Dewlay, Combe Castle, Belton Farm, White Lake, Sharpham Cheese…  

We are certainly graced with many good cheeses here on these isles. Does this still work when owned by a multinational? Not sure there is much impetus to change up a successful brand or add to the mix once you’re owned by Lactalis, but it does serve the local market, wherever it is. I buy Baron Bigod and I also buy President, because the former cheese is eaten so quickly at the house, we never get a chance to put it in sandwiches. Dang it. 

• Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International. Keep in touch via email: [email protected] Twitter: @dairyindustries 
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