CornwallLive readers are in an uproar after news broke that a Cornish heritage brand has been sold to a German company. Trewithen Dairy, the famous maker of Cornish clotted cream, has been bought by Ehrmann, a prominent German dairy company.
Trewithen Dairy on Greymare Farm in the Glynn Valley was founded by the Clarke family and has been in business since 1976. Clotted cream lovers have had their say in our comments. Some can see the positive side, but others are less happy with the sale.
One said such a sale was “never good” and others suspected it would soon be moved to Germany, leaving Cornwall with one less clotted cream maker. Read on to see what CornwallLive readers had to say about the sale.
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DAVIDKC writes: “Well I hope they continue to produce good clotted cream; so much better than the solid stuff the bigger brands produce these days.”
Dk_redruth thinks: “Selling to foreign owners is never a good idea. There’s hardly anything left in this country unfortunately.” Pussinbootz points out: “Rowes Pasties hasn’t been Cornish for a while either, probably more so, business is business.” Cheriese Otley agrees: “It’s still Cornish-produced and it creates more jobs.”
Woody_1961 disagrees: “Foreign ownership is fantastic. It shows that a global company wants to invest in Britain. Much more evidence of this since Brexit.”
Teapot2 worried: “I’m pretty sure I can predict the future. In about six months time, production will be quietly moved to Germany (citing cost issues), all jobs will be lost and the factory will be declared a ‘brown field’. This will easily allow planning permission to be given for hundreds of houses that no one locally can buy because they have no jobs, now that the factory has been sold. Cadburys did the same in Bristol!”
Triggerandhisdoggo is looking forward to it: “I’ve never tried German cakes and puddings before, but my dog and I both want to try them!”
About Facebook Stephen Bricknell says: “Well now we’ve got German Cornish clotted cream, what’s next, CornwallLive broadcasting from Iceland???” Gary Bilkey agrees: “It’s the same old story. Any successful business will always be bought by foreign investors. We keep nothing in this country.”
Sue Sainsbury writes: “What’s wrong with you critics? The article says the factory is staying, so it’s still Cornish cream! I’m glad to see foreign companies investing in Cornwall, that’s a positive as far as I’m concerned.” Rosie Blowman agrees: “They also said the 260 jobs at Trewithen will be safeguarded for the future, while more jobs can be created to accommodate the £20m expansion plans.” Why are people so sad about this? It’s good news!”
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Jeremy Gist says: “So they said no one would want to invest in Cornwall after Brexit, it’s still Cornish and there’s a huge injection of capital so it’s not all negative.”
Tom Walvin is also happy: “They keep making their normal products, they keep making their signature products. Just because the executive management is German, it doesn’t mean they’re going to change the products, right!”
The dairy, located in the Glynn Valley, will be expanded to begin producing cakes and puddings, which are among the specialities Ehrmann exports to the UK market. Ehrmann executives expect Trewithen Dairy to contribute up to 15 per cent of annual global turnover.
They have also assured that the 260 jobs at Trewithen will be retained, with the potential to create additional jobs to support the £20 million expansion plans.
Olliewilks likes the news: “How can this be anything but good news for Cornwall. The dairy is expanding and bringing extra jobs to the area. A success story and yet people are still complaining – unbelievable.” woody_1961 agrees: “Great news for Liskeard, great news for Cornwall. FANTASTIC!”
Cornishbusiness said: “This has been coming since Trewithin stopped distributing to small businesses in Cornwall on 3 days notice. Sadly many of us have ended up using national suppliers rather than local ones. A real shame, another Cornish company now focusing on the national opportunity rather than what is best for Cornwall, although the extra jobs will be welcome.”
What do you think of this news? Are you worried that your favorite clotted cream is losing its flavor? Let us know in our comments.