The final phase of expansion and improvement works at local food producer Trewithen Dairy has got underway.
The company has brought in Midas Construction and Moody Systems to carry out the work at its dairy processing site at Greymare Farm in Lostwithiel, which includes a new dry goods store and packaging handling facility, as well as an upgrade to liquid milk routing.
The dairy also plans to improve site security, while adding in new staff facilities and offices.
It marks the final stage of an £11.4M four-year development project, which is 50% match-funded by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).
Since the grant was first awarded, Trewithen Dairy has completed major site modifications, installed a new pasteuriser, and upgraded facilities to handle the packing of its clotted cream, as well as adding a second milk bottle filling line.
Commercial director, Francis Clarke, said: “The expansion so far has more than delivered the expected results. We are on target for increasing our milk production levels still further in 2013 and 2014, and have seen healthy sales increases year on year.
“Having the input of the RDPE has been vital for us. At a time when the dairy industry is facing difficult challenges, such as rising milk production costs and a recessive climate, we are remaining strong and striving to deliver a competitive premium for farmers.”
