News
Creamline Dairies to snap up multiple distribution sites from Mortons Dairies
This week Creamline Dairies and Mortons exchanged contracts which will see Creamline acquire a number of distribution sites from Liverpool-based business.
The deal is due to complete in November 2024, and subject to successful consultation, will bring the operations of three depots, 56 staff and four further franchisees into the existing Creamline business, along with the potential to serve 15,000 more doorsteps and in excess of 450 more local businesses.
The move is part of Creamline’s plan to firm up its reputation as a leading dairy and grocery home delivery service in the North West, boosting its current foothold of the Manchester/M60 belt and East Cheshire and bringing Chester and the Wirral into the fold.
Creamline’s extended network of depots will serve local communities in Ashton in Makerfield, Chester and the Wirral, complementing its existing operations in Trafford, Eccles, Warrington, Kendal and Stockport.
Brothers-in-law Chris Swallow and Rob Purvis have been at the helm of Creamline since 1994, when it was acquired as a 35 round dairy business.
This latest acquisition, will place Creamline with a 310-striong team, seven depots and an anticipated circa turnover of £45m in the next 12 months.
Commenting, Swallow said the team is very excited about the potential acquisition as it “doubles down” on its strategy for growth in the North West.
“It’s our mission to be the most consistently successful independent dairy company in Britain in terms of our service levels, product quality and profitability. Acquiring the business from Mortons – which aligns with our company values of community, quality and heritage – will strengthen our service to businesses and consumers alike, as well as our online offering,” he added.
This year marks 10 years of online trading for the business, which complements its physical operations, and Swallow said its ecommerce offering will be an area of focus for the future.
“Growing our online offering has been an exciting journey so far and one we’re looking forward to accelerating over the coming year. We’re committed to listening to what our customers want and so we’re set to launch both a B2B online service, along with a powerful consumer app.
“We will continue to shine in our online offering, which is unique in its pairing with friendly and reliable on-the-ground service. We launched our Best of Local artisan grocery offering in 2014 and 10 years on we’re just as committed to delivering local produce to local people, so we’re looking forward to the opportunity to bring our service to new customers in the Wirral and Chester.”
The deal with Mortons follows Creamline’s much earlier purchase of Dairy Crest’s North West depot-based milk delivery business for £1.15m in 2013.
In other news, Infinite Roots has secured €2.6m for its whey upcycling project.
