Wiseman steps up production

Chairman, Alan Wiseman told shareholders at the company's annual meeting yesterday (9 July ) that sales volumes in the first three months of the new financial year were satisfactory and some 8.5% ahead of the same period last year. " This period has seen significant changes in the structure of the British dairy supply chain, resulting from the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain Limited. At short notice, we were asked to commence supplies to the Co-operative Group ahead of our planned start date of August. Likewise, we also began supplies during June to two large Spar wholesalers in England & Wales; Cappers and Blakemore," Wiseman said. Milk volumes processed at the company's new Bridgwater dairy were growing in line with expectations and, given the new contract wins, "we are pushing ahead with the planned increase in capacity to 375 million litres per annum at this site, at a cost of £7.5 million, and are hopeful this extra capacity will be on stream in early 2010". In the short-term, other Robert Wiseman dairies were managing the increased demand and that has meant a return to seven day working for the Manchester and Droitwich Spa dairies. This is expected to continue until the additional capacity at Bridgwater comes on stream. Wiseman concluded: "We have managed our way through some major changes in the industry in the last few months. We are confident that with a robust balance sheet, the most modern and efficient network of dairies and distribution centres in the UK and the support of our customers, we are in good shape to meet the many challenges that lie ahead as we seek to rebuild margins and profitability."