A BOOMING farmers’ co-operative has launched a recruitment drive for new members to supply milk after posting record sales of £45 million.

The news was revealed by managing director Alan Wyn Jones at an open day to celebrate the 80th anniversary of South Caernarfon Creameries which employs 130 staff at its base near Pwllheli.

Over the last four years the company has invested £12 million in a state-of-the-art cheese production facility as well as redevelopment of their cheese packing plant.

According to Mr Wyn Jones, they need more farmers to join the fold because of the demand for their cheeses and butter with record sales for the second year running.

The latest figures showed there was an impressive 36 per cent increase on sales of £45.1 million for the year just ended March 2018.

Mr Wyn Jones predicted the momentum would continue as the co-operative strives to conquer more exciting new markets.

He said: “There is ever increasing demand for our products and we continue to innovate in order to add as much value as possible. Only last week we were at a International fancy food fair in New York working to get our Dragon cheese brand in front of the USA audience.

“After 80 years, our ambition to grow and add value is as strong as ever.”

As the co-operative, comprising of 127 farmer owners, looks forward to the next 20 years – and its eventual centenary – it wants to drive up sales even further.

Mr Wyn Jones said: “With that in mind we are keen to recruit more all-year-round milk producing dairy farmers into our ranks.

“A number of potential newcomers were among the hundreds here at the open day touring our premises and seeing for themselves the opportunities South Caernarfon Creameries can offer them.”

The company produces a range of cheese and butter products and produces around 12,500 tonnes of cheese a year.

Among the newest members of staff to be recruited is Jordan Roberts, 23, the great grandson of the co-operative’s founder, the late John Owen Roberts, who in the 1930s had a vision to see Welsh dairy farmers work together to market their own milk.

Following a determined campaign his plan came to fruition in 1938 when the South Caernarfon Creameries co-operative was born. At first it focused on milk distribution, but in 1959 began cheese production.

John Owen Roberts was awarded an MBE for his outstanding contribution to the Welsh dairy industry. After his death the medal was given to South Caernarfon Creameries by Jordan’s grandfather, William Roberts, to keep in posterity.

Jordan, of Pwllheli, who works in the cheese processing area, was honoured to be part of the company his great grandfather founded, and to see it enjoying continued success.

He said: “I’m proud to think something he started for the good of the whole farming community in Wales is still going strong today.”

See more photos from the day in Thursday’s north editions of the Cambrian News