Cheese & Dairy | Graham's Dairies
Graham’s is Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the seventh largest milk processor in the UK, yet the business remains very much a family affair.
Graham’s has grown considerably since it was founded in 1939. However, a great deal remains as it was when the dairy was started by Robert Graham and his wife Isabella, who moved to Airthrey Kerse Farm and started delivering milk, cream and eggs to homes in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, by horse and cart.
Daily output has increased since then from 400 pints to over 330,000 pints but the dairy is still in the hands of the founder’s grandchildren, managing director Robert Graham jnr and director Carol Graham, with his son Robert Graham snr active in the roll of chairman.
Graham’s farming roots, heritage and sense of family are fundamental to how it operates as a business.
The Grahams have farmed in the Stirling area for five generations and continue to do so, retaining a Jersey herd and prize-winning pedigree Limousin cattle. In addition, Graham’s is also actively involved with the Royal Highland Show Royal with Robert Graham snr holding the position of Vice President at this year’s event.
The company continues to diversify and modernise. In 2006 a fresh new look was unveiled, reinforcing Graham’s successful blend of traditional family values and innovative thinking and underlining the dairy’s commitment to producing the finest quality products.
In addition to Graham’s whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, customers now enjoy the dairy’s salted and un-salted butter, single and double cream, as well as a range of Jersey and organic products.
The Graham’s organic range was launched in 2002 and has continued to grow in popularity. As well as organic whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk and double cream, the range includes Graham’s organic slightly salted butter, launched in 2006 and currently the only Scottish organic butter on the market.
Graham’s Dairies also supplies natural and fruit yoghurt, Scottish eggs, crème fraîche, Scottish mild cheddar and Scottish mature cheddar and orange juice, as well as a variety of other products.
“At Graham’s we are committed to the environment, to the welfare of our animals and to the health of your family and we hope these values are reflected in the quality of our products,” says Carol Graham.
As well as supplying retail and catering customers, Graham’s products can also be found on the shelves of many leading supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and ASDA.
Of course, Graham’s has swapped the horse and cart used for deliveries in 1939 for a modern fleet of refrigerated vehicles, but the principle of providing personal, friendly service remains the same.
Graham’s now delivers across the heart of Scotland but with depots in Fife, Glasgow, Ayrshire and Angus, as well as its Bridge of Allan dairy, Graham’s is still able to offer a local service to all customers.
The dairy at Airthrey Kerse remains central to the Graham’s operation and is a major part of the local Bridge of Allan community with the business a keen supporter of local initiatives, organisations and charities.
On a national level, Graham’s is a sponsor of the annual Scottish Food Scholarship, which calls upon all young chefs under the age of 25, employed in Scotland, to develop their culinary skills and talents and to make the best use of home-grown Scottish produce.
The company is also a key participant and funding partner of the ongoing Scottish Dairy Marketing Company “White Stuff Milk Moustache” promotion. The campaign uses high-profile celebrities to promote the health benefits of milk, primarily to children and teenagers.
Graham’s Dairies
Airthrey Kerse Farm, Henderson Street
Bridge of Allan, Stirling
FK9 4RW
Tel: 01786 833 206
click to visit Graham's Dairies' website