County Milk Products returns to profit in 2023

Pre-tax profits at Cheshire-based dairy manufacturer County Milk Products climbed to £1.23m in 2023, after making a loss of £3m during the previous financial year.

The firm specialises in supplying dairy ingredients to the food manufacturing sector and produces a range of whey powders, liquid milk products, and butterfats.

Turnover declined slightly to £243.6m for the year ending 31 December 2023; however, total cost of sales also dropped, to £230.2m.

See also: Milk prices rise above 40p/litre as volumes fall

The UK remained the major market for County Milk Products, with it accounting for £176.1m of the total turnover, while Europe made up the remaining £67.5m.

John Langslow, company director, said: “The directors are pleased to report that the underlying business model continues to generate good profitability and the trend of significant performance improvements in its group subsidiaries continues.

“In 2024 core trading along with continued diversification of our operations has and will further allow us to take advantage of new strategic opportunities to drive further growth.”

During 2022, the business suffered two “exceptional non-recurring events” beyond its control, which affected the profitability of the company, according to its group strategic report.

County Milk Products was one of a number of creditors owed substantial sums of money by milk processor Braeforge (Pensworth) when it went into administration last year.