Leading dairy group Lactalis UK & Ireland has joined the Scottish Wholesale Association as part of its strategy to increase awareness of the branded cheddar market.

Other major outlooks in the new deal includes growing sales, strengthen links and identify opportunities within the wholesale sector in Scotland.

Lactalis UK & Ireland is best known as the owner of long-established cheddar brands including Seriously, Galloway and Orkney.

Ian Sanger, Lactalis UK & Ireland group sales director, said: “We are keen to work with wholesalers and other suppliers to raise awareness of the dairy sector within the Scottish food and drink industry.

“Our Orkney brand, in particular, has been a stalwart of the Scottish food industry for generations and is the only PGI cheddar in the UK, using only Orkney milk and produced in Orkney,” he continued.

“We already have excellent distribution of the brand in the north of Scotland but we want to strengthen this and build awareness in other parts of the hospitality sector.”

Speaking about the SWA membership, Mr Sanger said this would enable Lactalis UK&I to get closer to wholesalers and better understand their needs as part of the supply chain.

“There are clearly opportunities to grow the branded cheddar market through wholesale,” he explained. “and we’re looking forward to meeting SWA members and, when it becomes possible, networking at events.

“Our brands are much loved by generations of Scots so we want to get back to our roots and make a difference in local communities, using our scale and expertise to support wholesalers and their customers.”

Colin Smith, SWA chief executive, commented: “Lactalis UK & Ireland is one of several suppliers to have joined our trade association during the Covid-19 pandemic and it is hugely encouraging that a global supplier sees the value of working with the Scottish wholesale sector to grow its business and help our members seek new opportunities within the dairy sector.

“We encourage any supplier seeking to get closer to the Scottish food and drink industry to follow the example of Lactalis UK&I and join our ranks to benefit from introductions to our members and insight into the Scottish wholesale sector.”