Dale Farm to buy cheese brands from Glanbia

Fivemiletown Creamery is to continue producing its renowned speciality cheese brands under an exciting new partnership between the farmers' co-operative and Dale Farm.

In a deal which is to be finalised next week, Dale Farm is to acquire the speciality cheese brands from Glanbia Ingredients Ireland who bought the milk pool and cheese brands from Fivemiletown and Brookeborough Dairy and Agricultural Dairy Society in April.

Dale Farm is expected to produce the cheese on the Fivemiletown site in a leased arrangement with the Fivemiletown Society and they are expected to retain around 20 employees, just under half the current workforce.

There was disappointment in the Fermanagh and Tyrone community after news emerged that the Creamery was to close.

David Dobbin, Chief Executive of Dale Farm welcomed the positive news although Guy Simpson said unfortunately they were not able to retain all employees.

"We are delighted that we will have been able to ensure that the Fivemiletown range of award winning cheeses will continue to be produced locally. Fivemiletown Creamery has a long established tradition of making excellent local speciality cheeses and we intend to maintain production and invest in developing the brand and its local, national and international customers base," said Mr. Dobbin.

Guy Simpson of the Fivemiletown Creamery Cooperative, said: "This deal will help maintain local jobs in Fivemiletown and the world renowned Fivemiletown cheese brand. While cheddar cheese activity will still cease in a number of months we are extremely pleased that speciality cheese making activity will be now continuing under Dale Farm at our Creamery, this is great news for our local community.