New brand data reports exceptional growth and increasing brand value for the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor

Somerset – May 10, 2010 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today revealed the latest brand performance figures from Kantar World Panel KPI Reporting[1], the world’s leading provider of continuous, consumer panels and market research solutions. The data confirms Wyke Farms as the best selling Farmhouse Cheddar brand within the category in the UK.

Wyke Farms has shown double-digit growth in brand sales over the past 12 months (Wyke Farms is now a £72 million brand), and with a 20 percent year on year growth[2], the brand is projected to continue to perform well during 2010. In addition, the family-owned brand has continued to add incremental value at retail, which is up 3.5 percent[3] over the brand average. This significant achievement stands as further proof that Wyke Farms is continuing to cement its position as an added value brand within the category.

“In times like these, consumers are looking to spend their hard-earned money on brands that mean something to them,” said Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, Wyke Farms. “As the only national Cheddar brand with provenance and a true point of difference, our core values really stand out in the crowd and resonate with British consumers.”

The Wyke Farms brand continues to be supported by national TV and press advertising this year, as well as a busy sampling programme that will reach over 2 million consumers over the summer months. In addition, Wyke Farms’ forward thinking approach to PR and the use of social media, has seen a growth in the popularity of the brands Facebook fan page, which hosts regular consumer competitions and giveaways.

Wyke Farms is a family run company based in Somerset and are the only independent dairy company within the top 10 cheddar brands in the UK.  The company has been making cheddar to the same family recipe since 1902 and have achieved substantial growth year on year by staying true to the traditional values behind the brand.

Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose.