January 2025 Case Studies

What's Cooking? in Deeside creates prepared meals with a focus on taste, convenience, and sustainability. The company, which traces its roots back to 1987 when it was founded by Leyla Edwards as KK Fine Foods, has grown exceptionally over the years. Now part of the International What's Cooking? Group, the company manufactures a wide range of frozen ready meals, including curry sauces. Recent growth at Deeside has been considerable, with over £50 million turnover, benefiting...

South Caernarfon Creameries, established in 1937, is a co-operative based in north west Wales. With 152 milk producers who co-own the company, the creamery processes milk into various dairy products, including around 15 different cheeses ranging from mild to mature Cheddar, and traditional British cheeses. The Dragon brand is a significant part of their business, catering to Welsh customers and producing a wide range of retailer-branded products. The company has received substantial support from the...

Founded by Scott Davies in 2011 at the age of 23, Hilltop Honey is a prominent honey and maple syrup company based in Newtown, mid Wales. The company employs 130 people and supplies a third of the UK market, producing 14,000 tons of honey in various forms. Hilltop Honey has received significant support from the Welsh Government, including Business Skills Development courses, support from the Food Technology Centre in Llangefni, and assistance through the Food...

Henllan Bakery, a family-run business based in Denbigh, has been producing bread, cakes and morning goods across Wales, Shropshire, and the Wirral for over four generations. With support from the Welsh Government, the bakery has expanded its operations, enhanced its infrastructure, and increased its workforce. This support has enabled Henllan Bakery to not only serve local communities, but export its delicious products internationally, contributing to the local economy and promoting Welsh produce globally. {"preview_thumbnail":"/foodanddrink/sites/foodanddrink/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/jLd0hR7Z8yg.jpg?itok=-Ocg2N2C","video_url":"https://youtube.com/shorts/jLd0hR7Z8yg?si=02-2neWwKrleCZtf","settings":{"responsive":true,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":true},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video...

Ferrari’s Coffee, founded by Vittorio Ferrari in 1927, is a renowned coffee business based in Bridgend. Known for blending and roasting coffee from over 16 countries, Ferrari’s Coffee has evolved from supplying local cafés and restaurants to serving both public and private sectors and exporting to five different countries. Under new ownership, the company continues preserving its traditional blending and roasting methods while expanding its global reach and reputation. The company has benefited from support...

Bluestone Brewery, located in north Pembrokeshire, has been producing a variety of cans, bottles, keg, and cask beer for over a decade. The brewery, directed by Amy Evans, sells its products all over the United Kingdom. Since its beginning, Bluestone Brewery has received significant support from the Welsh Government, particularly in areas like training and collaborating with other businesses. This support has been invaluable, helping the brewery achieve SALSA accreditation and promoting its products to...

Crwst, founded in 2016 by Catrin Parry Jones and Osian Wyn Jones, started as a home baking venture. Crwst offers a variety of artisan bakery products and has an 80-seater café in Cardigan, which is known for its brunch. The company also produces jarred products, which have since expanded to be sold across the UK. Crwst has received significant support from the Welsh Government, including special accreditation for their kitchen, marketing courses, and connections with...

With the invaluable support of Food & Drink Skills Wales, South Caernarfon Creameries were able to implement a range of critical training programmes that have strengthened their operational capabilities. The support allowed them to enhance the skill sets of their employees, which in turn has significantly boosted operational efficiencies across the business.