Latest News
21
Jul
Gold, Silver and Bronze for Wyke Farms Cheddar As County Show Success Continues
Somerset-based cheddar maker takes numerous awards at The Royal Welsh Show
Somerset, UK – July 21st 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, was the recipient of numerous accolades at this years Royal Welsh Show. The Somerset based company were awarded with ‘Gold’ awards in the Mild Cheddar and the Red Leicester categories, ‘Silver’ for their Village Oak Cheddar in the ‘Export Class’ and both the salted and unsalted Farmhouse Butter. Bronze was also awarded to Wyke Farms Vintage Cheddar in the Taste and Consumer Appeal category, the Vegetarian and the Double Gloucester categories.
21
Jun
Wyke Farms Brings Premium Vintage Cheddar to Sainsbury’s
Wyke Farms today announced that their new premium Farmhouse cheddar ‘Ivy’s Vintage Reserve’ is now available nationwide at Sainsbury’s stores.
The most recent addition to their award-winning line of cheddar products, Ivy’s Vintage Reserve cheddar goes through a careful maturation period, for no fewer than 15 months, under the watchful eye of the head cheese-grader at Wyke Farms, where the traditional art of cheddar making is maintained.
14
Jun
Another Gold Award for Wyke Farms!
Wyke Farms was the recipient of numerous accolades at the Royal Bath and West show, including first prize award in the ‘Salted Farmhouse Butter’ category, and Silver and Bronze in the ‘Peoples Choice Award’[1]. Wyke Farms’ traditional farmhouse cheddar and butter products serves as further recognition for the company as the Best-Selling Farmhouse Cheddar Brand in the UK, as recently reported by the Kantar World Panel.[2]
In addition, Wyke Farms also received a Silver award in the ‘Unsalted Creamery Butter’ category and Silver in the ‘Organic Cheddar Class’. Known for their unique provenance and the superior quality of their products, Wyke Farms has maintained the art of traditional cheese-making on their Somerset farm, where the Clothier family have been making traditional farmhouse cheddar to their original secret recipe since 1902.
24
May
Wyke Farms Vintage Cheddar Named Reserve Champion at Devon County Show
Wyke Farms was the recipient of numerous accolades at the Devon County Show Dairy Produce competition, including first prize awards in the Vintage Cheddar, Double Gloucester and Creamery Butter categories, as well as the high honour of Reserve Champion. Awarded on May 19th, this verification of Wyke Farms’ traditional farmhouse cheddar and butter products serves as further recognition for the company as the Best-Selling Farmhouse Cheddar Brand in the UK, as recently reported by the Kantar World Panel.[1]
In addition, the family-owned and operated farmhouse cheddar maker received 2nd prize for their award-winning Red Leicester and Farmhouse Butter, as well as recognition for their ‘Cheese for a Dinner Party’ category. Known for their unique provenance and the superior quality of their products, Wyke Farms has maintained the art of traditional cheese-making on their Somerset farm, where the Clothier family have been making traditional farmhouse cheddar to their original secret recipe since 1902.
10
May
Wyke Farms Crowned as Best-Selling Farmhouse Cheddar Brand in the UK
Wyke Farms has revealed the latest brand performance figures from Kantar World Panel KPI Reporting[1], the world's leading provider of continuous, consumer panels and market research solutions. The data confirms Wyke Farms as the best selling Farmhouse Cheddar brand within the category in the UK.
Wyke Farms has shown double-digit growth in brand sales over the past 12 months (Wyke Farms is now a £72 million brand), and with a 20 percent year on year growth[2], the brand is projected to continue to perform well during 2010. In addition, the family-owned brand has continued to add incremental value at retail, which is up 3.5 percent[3] over the brand average. This significant achievement stands as further proof that Wyke Farms is continuing to cement its position as an added value brand within the category.
25
Jan
Wyke Farms Reach £70 Million in Retail Sales as the Brand Pick Up the Pace for 2010
Wyke Farms have released new data from TNS confirming retail sales from December ‘08 – December ‘09 reached 70 million, the highest figure the company has ever achieved. Indicative of the company’s fast growth strategy and position as strongest challenger brand within the category, this figure represents a benchmark for Wyke Farms who intend to go even further in 2010.
Despite the tough trading environment during 2009 Wyke Farms achieved a significant increase in sales during the year and attribute much of their success to smarter above the line promotional activity and a strong sampling program. Substantial investment into brand awareness took place during 2009 when Wyke Farms increased high impact print and broadcast advertising campaigns. The company also reached over 3 million members of the public on their sampling tours.
06
Jan
Leskol Half Fat Cheese – Now offered in Stay Fresh Zip Packaging
Leskol, half fat cheese makes it even easier to stay in shape this new-year with a fresh re-sealable zip packaging design. Fans of the healthier alternative to full fat cheddar can now enjoy the improved smooth and creamy taste for longer as the improved packaging helps to keep the cheese fresh for longer.
Appealing to the discerning female shopper the new Leskol packaging communicates the associated health benefits in a bright, fresh design. The enhanced Leskol has an even smoother texture with a full-bodied flavour that is not usually associated with healthier alternatives.
01
Dec
Happy Cheese-mas! Wyke Farms Launch Limited Edition Christmas Cheddar
Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, announce that their limited edition Christmas wrapped cheddar is available to the public for one month.
For over one hundred years the special Christmas line of premium vintage cheddar has been reserved for family and close friends during the holiday season. This year however, the special Christmas cheese; a specially selected line of the Wyke Farms Ivy’s Vintage Reserve, is also available to the public for the month of December.
15
Nov
Wyke Farms Contributes to Scholarship Fund to Encourage New Dairy Industry Talent
The West Country’s 2009 ‘Scholar of the Year’ has been announced as Matthew Humphry, from Isle Abbotts. Four other finalists – including Colin Tuer, winner of the ‘Wyke Award’ – were selected based on their specialised knowledge and practical experience, and will receive cash payments to help them start careers in the Dairy Industry. The finalists were selected from 21 applicants in the four counties.
05
Nov
Wyke Farms Launches New Spreadable Farmhouse Butter
Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today unveil the latest addition to their range of traditional cheddar and butter products, a new spreadable version of their award-winning Truly Scrumptious Farmhouse Butter. Available in 500g tubs, the new spreadable butter is the perfect marriage of traditional farmhouse flavour and modern-day convenience.
21
Oct
Wyke Farms Debuts in Waitrose with New Premium Vintage Cheddar
Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today announce that their new premium Farmhouse Cheddar ‘Ivy’s Vintage Reserve’ will be available in Waitrose from October 19th 2009.
The new Ivy’s Vintage Reserve Cheddar is a premium product in keeping with the discerning taste of the Waitrose customer.
23
Sep
Wyke Farms biggest broadcast ad campaign to date!
Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, will air the first broadcast advert in their Autumn Advertising campaign on Sunday 27th September. The advertising slot, a three-and- a-half minute menu-themed ad break during Come Dine With Me will feature Wyke alongside six other quality hand picked brands- Gordon’s Gin, New Covent Garden Soup, Sainsburys, Nescafe, Baileys and Haagen-Dazs, and is a first for Channel 4.
12
Sep
The sweet smell of cheddar! Cheese grader’s nose most expensive in UK as company value it at £5 million
Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, are enlisting the help of Lloyds of London to insure their Master Cheese Grader’s nose for £5 million. The Somerset-based cheese expert, Nigel Pooley, has worked in the cheese-producing industry since 1963 and has graded cheese for the century-old, family-run Wyke Farms for the past 12 years, where he specializes in selecting good commercial cheese that the mass market will enjoy.
24
Aug
Wyke Farms Give Away a Lifetime Supply of Half Fat Cheddar!
Wyke Farms gives away a life times supply of Leskol, half fat cheddar in second online cheese for life competition this year. Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have announced Lisa Kirby as the winner of the ‘Leskol for Life’ competition.
The competition has been running on the Leskol fan club on Facebook for the past three months; Lisa was selected at randomly chosen to be the winner. The prize includes 2lb’s of the award winning half fat cheddar per month for the next 25 years. The total weight of Leskol won is similar to that of a large cow or Harley Davidson motorcycle!
13
Aug
Wyke Farms Helps Local Charity Go The Extra Mile
Local charity ‘Swallow’ today announce that this years Bath Half Marathon raised over £5000 for the charity with the help of Wyke Farms’ sponsorship.
Both Wyke Farms and Swallow are locally based and worked together to promote the SWALLOW’s Bath Half Marathon, where the team raised more than £5,000 to help fund their work. The local charity supports people with learning disabilities.
16
Jun
Industry Comment from Richard Clothier, Managing Director, Wyke Farms
Following On From The Fall Of ‘The Dairy Farmers of Britain’, One Of the UK’s Biggest Co-Ops, Richard Clothier Issues a Call for Collaboration….
Desperate times call for desperate measures - that's what we're told anyway. With the current state of our challenging economy and dwindling milk supplies, the question over who controls the supply chain is becoming more and more prominent.
20
May
Wyke Farms Launches Snack-Size Cheddar Lunchtimers
Somerset, UK – May 20th, 2009 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today unveiled Wyke Farms Lunchtimers, a new line of their award-winning cheddar in snack-size portions. Available in nets with 5 x 20g portions, the new mini cheese chuckles are perfect as lunch box additions.
18
Mar
Wyke Farms Champions Convenience with New Grated Line in Re-sealable Format
Somerset, UK March 18th 2009 - Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today unveiled a new line of their award-winning cheddar in a grated format. To provide ease of use and convenience for consumers, the 100 year-old company is introducing new grated options, in addition to the traditional block format, for their So Mellow Family Mild and Rich & Creamy Mature cheddars, as well as the popular half-fat cheddar brand Leskol.
01
Mar
IFE March 2009 Industry Comment from Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, Wyke Farms
Desperate times call for desperate measures - that's what we're told anyway. With the current state of our challenging economy and dwindling milk supplies, the question over who controls the supply chain is becoming more and more prominent.
18
Feb
Brand Data Shows Wyke Farms Exceptional Growth
Wednesday 18th February 2009: Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor today reveal the latest brand performance figures from TNS. The data confirms Wyke Farms as the fastest growing brand within the Cheddar category, with growth at 95% over the past 12 months and shows a significant 118% growth in brand sales, bringing them closer to their nearest competitor, the McLelland Seriously brand.
