20 June 2008
Sainsbury's selects Graham's as cream of the crop
Family dairy to supply supermarket’s Scottish cream
Sainsbury’s today (20 June) used the Royal Highland Show as a platform to announce the selection of Graham’s The Family Dairy to supply the supermarket’s own-label cream for its Scottish stores. Sainsbury’s UK trading director Mike Coupe announced the partnership with the support of Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead MSP. The range of cream includes single, double whipping and extra thick from 150ml to 600ml.

The dairy, established in 1939 by current managing director Robert Graham’s grandfather, also supplies Graham’s organic and conventional milk as well as Graham’s Gold Jersey milk to more than 400 Sainsbury’s supermarkets. Emma Metcalf-King, Sainsbury’s senior dairy buyer said:  “At Sainsbury’s we’re committed to supporting local producers and providing consumers with high-quality, locally produced goods. 

“The introduction of Graham’s conventional milk to our Scottish stores boosted category sales by 2 per cent in just four weeks, while the launch of the dairy’s organic lines has helped grow our organic category by 4 per cent.  We know that extending our partnership with Graham’s guarantees superior products that are big favourites with our customers.”

Robert Graham, managing director of Graham’s The Family Dairy, added: “We’ve established a great working partnership with the Sainsbury’s team and they have demonstrated to us that they are as passionate about our products as we are.

“Sainsbury’s enjoys a discerning customer base who confidently knows that everything bearing the Sainsbury’s name will have the quality they desire and we know we can provide that.”

The Royal Highland Show is proving to be an eventful occasion for everyone connected with Graham’s.  Yesterday (19 June), the company launched the latest addition to its rapidly expanding product portfolio – Graham’s Gold – while Robert Graham was also made an associate fellow of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

Photographer Rob McDougall has been commissioned to undertake photography should picture desks wish to source images direct by calling 07856 222 103.

19 June 2008
Graham's goes for GOLD with new range from Jersey Cows
Graham’s The Family Dairy guaranteed this year’s Royal Highland Show got off to a deliciously indulgent start with the launch of the latest addition to its rapidly expanding product portfolio – Graham’s Gold. Featuring milk, cream and butter, Graham’s Gold is produced by the dairy’s award-winning Jersey cows.  Reared on the lush pastures of the Carse of Stirling, Graham’s Jersey herd delivers golden, creamy milk, high in protein and calcium and renowned for its unique taste.

The new products, which will be available in a number of retailers in Scotland including Sainsbury’s and Harvey Nichols, were unveiled by Robert Graham Snr, chairman of Bridge of Allan-based Graham’s The Family Dairy, and Allan Burns, chairman of Scotland Food & Drink. Speaking at the launch, Mr Burns said: “The dairy industry is a vital component of Scotland’s economy, contributing enormously to the country’s food and drink GVA and agricultural output.

“Graham’s The Family Dairy is a forward thinking and ambitious company, and it gives me great pleasure to be involved in its latest, and hopefully hugely successful, product launch.”

Graham’s, Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the seventh-largest liquid milk producer in the UK, has previously produced Jersey products on behalf of a number of leading retailers.

Comprised of 750ml bottles of milk, 284ml double cream pots and 250g packs of butter, the Graham’s Gold range features a distinctive, luxurious black and gold label, differentiating it from the existing red, blue and green packaging which dominates dairy products. Nevertheless, the label does retain the touch of tartan found on all Graham’s products, emphasising the company’s ‘Scottishness’ and helping to ensure consumers are aware of the fact they are buying locally-produced product.

Carol Graham, director of Graham’s The Family Dairy, commented: “The launch of Graham’s Gold comes as part of our ongoing development strategy, which has seen us enlarge our product offering, as well as revising and improving the way our products are packaged and promoted.

“Compared to conventional milk, milk from our doe-eyed Jersey cows is golden in colour, indulgent tasting and considered to be a luxury item.  The black and gold labels help the range stand apart from other dairy items while enhancing its premium proposition.

“The development of Graham’s Gold has generated huge levels of excitement around the dairy and we hope our customers share in this and enjoy the range as much as we do.”

The showcasing of new products at the Royal Highland Show, which is attended by more the 150,000 visitors each year, has become something of a tradition for Graham’s. Two years ago, the dairy used the show to launch its new brand identity, which went on to scoop the Brand Development award at the 2007 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards, where it also won the Retail award for its organic range. More recently, Graham’s was named the Best of Previous Year’s Winners at the 2008 Awards.

12 May 2008
Graham's named Best of the Best at Food & Drink Oscars
Graham’s The Family Dairy, Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the seventh-largest liquid milk producer in the UK, has won a top category award at the 2008 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.

The Bridge of Allan-based dairy, which won the Brand Development prize at the 2007 ceremony, in addition to the Best Dairy Product award for its organic range, was named the Best of Previous Year’s Winners in recognition of its ongoing development.

In the period since last year’s awards, sales of Graham’s organic milk have increased by an incredible 150 per cent, while its conventional milk has also experienced an increase in sales of 5 per cent.

Carol Graham, marketing director at Graham’s The Family Dairy, said: “This latest award win is testament to the hard work and dedication displayed by everyone at the dairy over the past twelve months.  This period has proved to be one of considerable success, helped in no small way by our double win at last year’s Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.”

“We are fully committed to making further investment in our brand while continuing to look at ways of expanding and improving our current product range, and we believe the award was given in acknowledgment of that.”

The awards, organised jointly and co-sponsored by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society and Scottish Enterprise on behalf of Scotland Food & Drink, are regarded the ‘Oscars’ of the industry.

The ceremony, held at Edinburgh’s Mansfield Traquair on Thursday 8 May, was attended by First Minister Alex Salmond and more than 300 leading figures from the Scottish food and drink industry.

12 May 2008
Graham's Increases Producer Prices
Graham's The Family Dairy, Scotland's largest independent dairy company and the seventh largest milk processor in the UK, has increased the price it pays producers for their milk by 0.8p per litre to 26.4p per litre for 4% milk before volume bonuses.  Over the last twelve months, Graham’s has provided Scotland’s farming community with a 7.4p per litre increase.

The Bridge of Allan-based family farming business has provided the increase to its 50 plus suppliers from across Scotland, following the dramatic rise in costs being incurred with feed and fertiliser in particular.

Robert Graham, managing director, said: "We are very aware of the cost that our dairy farmers are facing, and, as a farming business, we face these as well.  Due to these increases we have been speaking to customers regarding moving supply prices forward.  The market remains very competitive but we continue to invest in the Graham’s brand and this has continued to pay dividends. 

“Over the years we have taken the lead when it comes to prices paid to dairy farmers. This latest increase will keep us at the forefront of prices paid to producers throughout the UK.

"The milk market globally is facing an unprecedented double challenge with shortages and increased demand leading to spiralling prices.  As a family we have been in this business for three generations - almost seven decades - and we've never seen the marketplace at home and across the globe so upwardly mobile.”

Established in 1939, the Bridge of Allan-based company produces 360,000 pints of milk per day, employs 270 staff and is run by managing director Robert Graham, grandson of the dairy’s founder.

9 May 2008
Graham's The Family Dairy cooks up promotion with Nick Nairn
Graham’s The Family Dairy, Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the UK’s seventh-largest liquid milk producer, has teamed up with TV chef and entrepreneur Nick Nairn to launch its first on-pack promotion.

Throughout June and July 2008, Graham’s customers will have the chance to win one of 40 full days at the Nick Nairn Cook School.  Also up for grabs will be 100 copies of the new Cook School Book.  The book is an indispensable guide to cooking for everyone from toast burners to soufflé kings and is packed full of tips, techniques and delicious recipes.

The promotion will feature on Graham’s whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk and its organic semi-skimmed two pint, which accounts for 80 per cent of all organic milk sales.   The partnership will also be promoted via specially created pages on both Graham’s and Nick Nairn’s websites

Commenting on the partnership, Robert Graham, managing director of Graham’s The Family Dairy, said: “Nick is a popular and well-respected figure and is viewed as something of an ambassador for fresh Scottish produce, so having him feature on our packaging is a real coup for us.

“We believe it is an indication of the quality of our products and look forward to working in synergy with Nick to ensure that more Scots become aware of, and ultimately introduce the best Scotland has to offer into their diets.”

Nick Nairn added: “The basic philosophy taught at the Cook School centres around using the best produce, which is why we use Graham’s products every day.  All our produce is sourced with great care and for us it has to be the best in its class.  Graham’s supreme standard range certainly falls within this bracket.”

In addition to appearing on pack, Nick will also make a special guest appearance at the Graham’s stand at this year’s Royal Highland Show on Sunday 22 June.  A further space at the Cook School will be raffled at the event to raise money for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), Graham’s nominated charity.

3 February 2008
Sainsbury's increase local milk sales in Scotland through Graham's Partnership
Sainsbury’s commitment to sourcing local produce is paying dividends in Scotland, with the company today (3 February 2008) announcing that the introduction of conventional milk from Bridge of Allan-based Graham’s The Family Dairy has increased milk sales by 2 per cent in Scotland.

Graham’s whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk was launched in Sainsbury’s Scottish stores due to customer demand on 4 January and, just four weeks later, is proving to be a great Scottish success story accounting for 9 per cent of the leading food retailer’s total conventional milk sales.

The retailer’s investment in nurturing the relationship with Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and seventh largest milk producer in the UK has certainly paid off, as Graham’s business with Sainsbury’s has quadrupled over the last 15 months and the partnership is now worth an estimated £4 million per annum.

Sainsbury’s is dedicated to selecting the best local suppliers and achieving economic growth at a local level.  Senior Sainsbury’s executives have worked extensively with the family-owned, Bridge of Allan-based dairy to form a long-term partnership.

The dairy’s organic lines, which have been available in stores since July last year, have helped grow Sainsbury’s organic category by 4 per cent.  Graham’s organic milk now represents 12 per cent of Scottish organic milk sales.

Emma Metcalf-King, Sainsbury’s senior dairy buyer said: “We are delighted to be able to underpin our commitment to supporting local food producers in Scotland.  Our customers want to be able to buy quality local produce, which is reflected in our sourcing policy that focuses on obtaining the best local produce from the best local suppliers.

“Graham’s The Family Dairy is well-known for its high-quality products and the sustainable and ethical farming practices it has adopted, so we were confident that this will prove to be a popular line.”

Robert Graham, managing director of Graham’s The Family Dairy, said: “Sainsbury’s has invested considerable time in developing our partnership, supporting the development of our business and driving sales of our products in its stores.

“Supplying Scottish products to Scottish consumers is paramount to us and this is mirrored in Sainsbury’s procurement process.  Our successful company-wide rebranding exercise placed emphasis on our Scottish roots and family values and we believe our strong brand identity has proved reassuring to Sainsbury’s customers who are looking to buy locally-produced goods.”

The partnership between Sainsbury’s and Graham’s stretches beyond the retailer’s shelves.  Robert Graham has spoken on the benefits of supermarket / local producer collaborations during an event at the Scottish Parliament and the companies joined forces during the inaugural BBC Good Food Show Scotland.

17 January 2008
Graham's the Family Dairy set to Build for the Future - Bridge of Allan Headquarters poised for Extension
Graham’s The Family Dairy, Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the seventh largest milk producer in the UK, is set to embark upon an expansion project at its Bridge of Allan headquarters. Work on a 4,000 sq ft extension to Airthrey Kerse Farm’s loading bay will commence this month (January) and is due for completion in June of this year. The expansion has been designed, and will be constructed, by Algo (Blairgowrie) Ltd, the Perth-based commercial and farm building contractors.

The development will increase the dairy’s loading and distribution capabilities, as well as creating additional space for the unloading of packaging and is being carried out as part of the company’s commitment to increased efficiency in 2008. It will be the first time extensive work has been carried out on the dairy since 2003, when the cold storage area was converted to allow for the upgrade of the firm’s processing and packaging plant.  A second cold store and new parking and loading bays were included.

Established in 1939, Graham’s The Family Dairy produces 360,000 pints of milk per day, employs 270 staff and is run by managing director Robert Graham, grandson of the dairy’s founder.

Commenting on the extension, Robert said: “We are constantly looking to build upon success and expand the business, and it became clear that an extension was required in order to have the infrastructure in place to support our increasing customer base, expanding product range and rising sales.

“A period of minor disruption comes with any major development, but our customers can rest assured that we will continue to offer the excellent and reliable service and award-winning products they’ve come to expect.”

The past 15 years has been a period of continual growth for Graham’s.  During that time, the company has acquired more than 20 businesses, relocated its Glasgow operation to Port Dundas (following a six-figure refurbishment of the site) and underwent a re-branding exercise, reinforcing its family values and farming heritage. The bulk of Graham’s business continues to be in milk – whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed – but the company also produces a variety of award-winning dairy products, including the salted and unsalted butter, single and double cream, Jersey milk and cream, as well as organic milk and cream and Scotland’s only organic butter.

04 January 2008
Marathon Milk Man Delivers over £6,000 to Charity
The managing director of Bridge of Allan-based Graham’s The Family Dairy is set to hand over £6,000 to charity after completing the New York Marathon. Robert Graham, who also lives in the village, completed the marathon – his first – in an impressive 3 hours and 47 minutes in aid of the Orchid Cancer Appeal.

Set up in 1996, Orchid was the first registered charity dedicated to fund research into diagnosis, prevention and treatment of both testicular and prostrate cancer, and to increase public awareness of these previously neglected diseases.

Speaking after the gruelling 26.2 mile run, Robert said: “Running the New York Marathon was an amazing experience and one I’m keen to repeat.  After an intensive six month training programme, it was great to finally do it and I was spurred on in the knowledge that I was running for a worthy cause.”

Robert was one of 39,085 runners to take part in the race, which was watched by a world-wide television audience of over 315 million.  Entrants included former champion cyclist Lance Armstrong and Katie Holmes, wife of Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise.

Graham’s The Family Dairy is Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the UK’s seventh largest liquid milk producer.  Operated by the third generation of the Graham family, the company is famed for its award-winning Scottish dairy products including milk, cream, butter and its own-brand organic and Jersey range.

27 November 2007
Dairy churns out funds to save charity fun day
Graham’s The Family Dairy has renewed its sponsorship of the popular Bridge of Allan Charity Fun Day, ensuring the event will run for its 16th year on Sunday 9 December.

This will be the third year that Graham’s, Scotland’s largest independent dairy company based in the village since 1939, has sponsored the event, which has become a popular Christmas tradition.

It will also be the first year that Robert Graham Snr, chairman of Graham’s The Family Dairy, will preside over the event in his role as chairman of the Bridge of Allan Merchants’ Association.

Organised by the Merchants’ Association, which represents over 60 businesses in the area, the Fun Day will be held between 12pm and 5pm and is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the village.

A number of local and national charities, including the Bannockburn Group of Riding for the Disabled Association, will run stalls at the event, with many of the village’s shops opening their doors on a Sunday for the one-and-only time this year.

As in past years, Graham’s will have its own stand, sampling its award-winning dairy products, including milk, cream, butter and its own brand organic and Jersey range.

Carol Graham, marketing director of Graham’s The Family Dairy, added: “The Charity Fun Day is an important date in our calendar.  In the past, around £20,000 has been raised for charity and it attracts visitors from all over the country, giving Bridge of Allan the opportunity to showcase the best it has to offer.

“At one point, it looked as though the 2006 event would be the last, but we were determined it would continue and had no hesitation in pledging our support.  The Graham family has had a presence in the village for three generations, and remaining true to our roots is a big part of what we’re about.

“It’s a fantastic family event and one that brings the local community together, and we hope that everyone has as much fun as they have in previous years.”

Cast and children from Macrobert’s Cinderella panto production will switch on the Christmas tree lights in Provost Park at 4pm. Street entertainers, carol singers, a children’s disco and fun fair are also planned.  The Alloa and Bowmore Pipe band will return to the event, as will battle re-enactment specialists Clan Alba. 

27th November 2007
Graham's the Family Dairy participates in first-ever
BBC Good Food Show Scotland
Graham’s The Family Dairy, Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the seventh largest milk processor in the UK, showcased its award-winning products at the inaugural BBC Good Food Show Scotland, held at the SECC, Glasgow (2-4 November).

The Bridge of Allan-based company was situated in the Sainsbury’s pavilion, where visitors to the show were able to sample the dairy’s mouth-watering range of butters.

This included Graham’s deliciously rich and creamy organic butter.  Made from fresh, lightly-churned organic cream, it is currently the only Scottish organic butter on the market.

Established in 1939 by Robert Graham and his wife Isabella, who started out delivering milk, cream and eggs to homes in Bridge of Allan by horse and cart, Graham’s is now operated by the founder’s grandchildren, managing director Robert Graham Jnr and marketing director Carol Graham.  The founder’s son Robert Graham Snr is still active in the role of chairman.

Commenting, Robert Graham, managing director, said: “The launch of the BBC Good Food Show in Scotland presented us with the perfect opportunity to sample our products.

“It was exciting to be part of what we hope will go on to become an annual event and with big names like Gordon Ramsay, Andrew Fairlie and Nick Nairn appearing, we were certainly in illustrious company. 

“When my grandparents first moved into the dairy in 1939, they would never have imagined that one day we would be involved in something of that magnitude.”

The bulk of Graham’s business continues to be in milk – whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed – but the company also produces a variety of award-winning dairy products, including the aforementioned butters, single and double cream, Jersey milk and cream, as well as organic milk, butter and cream.

Graham’s also supplies natural and fruit yoghurt, Scottish eggs, crème fraiche, Scottish mild cheddar, Scottish mature cheddar and orange juice to a number of catering and retail customers, including leading supermarkets.

The company is a key participant and funding partner of the on-going ‘White Stuff Milk Moustache’ campaign, which uses high-profile celebrities to promote the health benefits of milk.

4 September 2007
Nearly 1000 Athletes and Fun Runners to test power of milk
at Stirling 10k
Graham's Family Dairy, Scotland's largest independent dairy operation, has teamed up with the organisers of the Stirling 10k Road Race in order to display the scientifically proven exercise recovery powers of milk. Graham's, based in Bridge of Allan, will have nearly 1000 cartons of skimmed milk at the Forthbank Stadium finishing line on Sunday September 16 in order to enable runners to quench their thirst and promote post-race recovery.

A fortnight ago Loughborough University - one of the UK's leading sports education establishments - published in the British Journal of Nutrition the results of its research into the post-exercise recovery powers of milk. That research - funded by the Milk Development Council - indicated that skimmed milk is significantly more effective at re-hydration after vigorous exercise
than water or expensive isotonic drinks.

Graham's marketing director Carol Graham, herself a graduate of Loughborough University, said:" The Loughborough study joins the growing volume of literature which suggests that skimmed milk is a natural and effective post-exercise recovery aid. "We're a local company happy to support a local event. We've only recently had the results of the Loughborough University research and it struck us that linking up with the Stirling race was a perfect fit.

"Drinking milk is not only a valuable way to re-hydrate the body but also provides an excellent source of energy, protein and a vast array of different vitamins and minerals essential to the good health of hardworking sportspeople and the population as a whole,” she said.

Some 900 runners have entered the 10k Road Race and the 2k Fun Run which are now in their seventh year. Both events, which start and finish at the Stirling Albion stadium, are organised by the Central Athletic Club and began in 2000 as part of the celebrations marking Stirling being awarded City status.

Race Director Jane Milne said: "Both the 10k race the Fun Run have become significant fixtures in the Scottish athletics calendar since we began seven years ago. We already enjoy wonderful support from local companies and organisations and this innovative initiative by Graham's is very welcome indeed."

The Loughborough research has been applauded by top UK athletes. Champion decathlete Dean Macey said: "I can't say it comes as a huge surprise to me that this research says milk is the best thing for athletes, it makes perfect sense. If you want a great, natural drink to help performance then it's got to contain milk every time."

Olympic gold medallist Marlon Devonish added: "I use milk on my cereal every day. After hearing that it aids recovery, I will certainly incorporate it as part of my training and recovery for the future."

Long jumper Greg Rutherford said: "I have drunk milk for a long time and have found that it helps me recover after hard training sessions. It aids my recovery and replenishes lost nutrients. "

17 August 2007
Milk producers set to receive increase with more in the pipeline
Graham's Dairies, Scotland's largest independent dairy company and the seventh largest milk processor in the UK, is set to increase the price it pays producers for their milk.

With effect from the beginning of September the family-run dairy's 50-plus suppliers across Scotland will receive approximately 22p per litre - an increase of around 2p - and the likelihood is that, in early October, farmers will receive another increase taking the price per litre towards 25p.

Graham's managing director Robert Graham jnr said: "We are a farming family ourselves and have long prided ourselves in taking a lead when it comes to prices paid to dairy farmers. We believe that these intended increases will keep us at the forefront of prices paid to producers throughout the UK.

"The milk market globally is facing an unprecedented double challenge with shortages and increased demand leading to spiralling prices.  As a family we have been in this business for three generations - almost seven decades - and we've never seen the marketplace at home and across the globe so upwardly mobile.

"There is a worldwide shortage of liquid milk and milk powder and there's no doubt that this is leading to what many economists and sector experts believe will be a permanent and upward re-adjustment of base prices for dairy products.

"After years of serious challenges this is good news for farmers. These seismic shifts in the global marketplace will have an ongoing dramatic effect on farm-gate prices. These will, inevitably, be reflected on the High Street, not just in increases in the price of liquid milk but on all foodstuffs associated with dairy product.

"We see these developments as being of an extremely positive nature for dairy farmers and for the agricultural industry as a whole," said Robert Graham.

1 August 2007
Scotland's Favourite Family Dairy backs quest for Scotland's Smoothest Smoothie
Scotland's favourite family dairy is joining forces with Scottish Food Fortnight to provide the liquid ingredient in the quest for Scotland's Smoothest Smoothie. Graham's the Family Dairy will supply milk for the youngsters' category at the contest which is to be staged at the launch of Scottish Food Fortnight at Glamis Castle on Saturday, September 1.

Participants in the Graham's sponsored category - teams of two with a combined age of 30 or less - will represent their schools. In addition to supplying milk on the day of the Glamis Castle finals, the Bridge of Allan-based company will also donate milk worth £150 to the winning team's school.

The "Smoothest Smoothie" quest is the brainchild of the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust which aims to reconnect the people of Scotland with their countryside.

Scotland’s fruit lovers will enter their recipe, using produce from around Scotland, to create the Smoothest Smoothie. The finalists will be judged by some of the nation's best known culinary figures.  The ‘smoothie-off’ finals will be held at the launch of Scottish Food Fortnight at Scotland’s Countryside Festival at Glamis Castle in Angus.

Scottish Food Fortnight aims to create an awareness of the quality and variety of food and drink on offer in Scotland, and to change the habits of what we eat and where we buy it. The two-week long event, which is backed by internationally renowned chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Nick Nairn, Martin Wishart and Andrew Fairlie, runs from September 1 - September 16.

Graham's marketing director Carol Graham said: "We're a third generation dairy company but, as a family, we've been farmers for five generations. We care deeply about the countryside and the farming way of life. We're happy to give our support to worthwhile projects which showcase Scottish natural produce at its best."

August 2007
Fresh New Look Boosts Business for Family Firm
Graham’s, the family dairy, caused a splash last year with the unveiling of a new brand image. The fresh new identity was created as part of the company’s ongoing development strategy which has seen it become Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the seventh largest milk processor in the UK.   

The new identity, which reinforces Graham’s family values and farming heritage, has further strengthened the dairy’s reputation as a producer of a range of high-quality Scottish dairy products, which can be found on the shelves of Scotland’s supermarkets and independent retailers and in the kitchens of many leading hotels and restaurants.

The third-generation family business has been producing the finest tasting milk since 1939 but in recent years has significantly expanded its product range to include its own milk, cream, butter, organic and Jersey products. Made with pure organic milk from certified Scottish farms, Graham’s organic range has proved extremely popular. In 2006, the company launched Graham’s organic slightly salted butter – the only Scottish organic butter currently available. 

Director Carol Graham said: “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.”

Graham’s has also grown geographically and now delivers across the heart of Scotland with a series of distribution depots in Fife, Glasgow, Ayrshire and Angus, as well as its Bridge of Allan dairy. Although the company has grown, much 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 by horse and cart.

Daily output has increased since then from 400 pints to over 360,000 pints today, but the dairy remains very much a family business operated by the founder’s grandchildren, managing director Robert Graham jnr and director Carol Graham, and with his son Robert Graham snr active in the roll of chairman. Graham’s has played a key role in promoting the health benefits of milk to children and teenagers by providing funding for the ‘White Stuff Milk Moustache’ promotion, which features high-profile celebrities sporting milk moustaches.

July 2007
Royal Highland Show 2007
This was the second year that we had a stand in the food hall at the Highland Show, and despite the weather, it was extremely busy.  After winning the Scottish Food and Drink Excellence awards for brand development and our organic products, we showcased our full range with sampling of organic and conventional milk.  Over the four days we used 25,000 tasting cups, which equates to a staggering amount of milk.  The feedback was extremely positive, with consumers enjoying the creamy taste of the organic milk.

For the first time we entered the butter competition with our Scottish unsalted butter, and won the prestigious bronze award, which was the highest award presented at this years show.  The butter was tested on three categories, aroma and flavour; texture; appearance and rind.  The judging panel, made up of experts from supermarket buyers to top restaurateurs, examined and tasted the butters entered by many of the country’s top dairies.  Our butter achieved the highest score of all the butter judged.

On the farming and personal side, our Dad was Vice President of the Highland Show this year, which was a great honour for him. He was also showing his pedigree Limousin cattle and Berrichon du Cher sheep, and what a successful show he had, winning Limousin Championship with Butterfly, Reserve Limousin Championship with Samy, Reserve Interbreed Championship, and the Berrichon du Cher championship. Fantastic.

14 May 2007
Graham's has right ingredients for award win
Graham’s, the family dairy, has won two prestigious awards at this year’s Scottish Food & Drink Excellence Awards.
The Bridge of Allan-based-dairy received the Brand Development award in recognition of the highly-successful rebranding exercise undertaken by Graham’s last year.
The new branding has significantly boosted the profile of the company and helped to secure listings for Graham’s branded products with leading supermarkets Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s.

Graham’s Organic range of milk, cream and butter also picked up the award for best Retail Product in the dairy, confectionery & snacking category.  The awards are further evidence of Graham’s growing reputation as a producer of a range of high quality Scottish dairy products, which can be found on the shelves of Scotland’s supermarket and independent retailers and in the kitchens of many leading hotels and restaurants.

The Scottish Food & Drink Excellence Awards recognise companies that are leading the way in innovation, enterprise and quality. Now in its sixth year, the competition is organised by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland in association with Scottish Enterprise. 

Presenting the award for Brand Development, Maggie McGinlay, director food and drink, Scottish Enterprise, said: "Graham's is operating in a very difficult commodity market where it is often hard to differentiate between products, but its strong focus on ‘family’ has helped it do this and significantly raised the bar for others to match. Further evidence of this success is the fact that it has just completed its first ever export order."

Receiving the awards at a ceremony in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery, managing director Robert Graham, said: “We have all worked extremely hard to develop the company through expanding our range of products and creating a new brand identity and I’m delighted this has been recognised. I’d also like to thank Scottish Enterprise for their invaluable support.”

Graham’s, a third-generation family business, has been producing the finest tasting milk since 1939 and has grown to become Scotland’s largest independent dairy company and the seventh largest milk producer in the UK.

In recent years, Graham’s has significantly expanded its product range and now produces its own milk, cream, butter, organic and Jersey products. In 2006, the company added to its popular organic range with the launch of Graham’s organic slightly salted butter – the only Scottish organic butter currently on the market.

27 April 2007
Beaconhurst Pupils visit local Dairy
Nursery pupils from Beaconhurst School found out how milk gets from the farm to the fridge during a tour of Graham’s Bridge of Allan dairy.

Chairman Robert Graham snr welcomed 24 children, aged between four and five years old, to the family company’s Airthrey Kerse dairy for a guided tour where they saw the milk being put into bottles, labels being applied and the milk being packaged for distribution to customers across Scotland. The facility produces over 330,000 pints of milk every day.

Following the tour, the children sampled the produce for themselves, enjoying a drink of milk and a snack in the farmhouse kitchen. The young visitors also had the opportunity to ask members of the Graham family questions about milk.

Tracy Maclean, early years practitioner, Beaconhurst School, said: “The children were very excited about visiting the dairy and enjoyed seeing how the milk is put into bottles and we were extremely pleased that Graham’s allowed us to see behind the scenes.”  

26 April 2007
Graham's reputation for quality spreads to France
The French appreciation for the finest foods has led a French baker all the way to Bridge of Allan-based Graham’s and the family dairy’s Scottish butter. Martine Specialites, located in the north east of Bordeaux, received its first delivery of two tonnes of Graham’s Jersey butter at the start of April. The butter will be used as an ingredient in the making of a range of bakery products.

The order, which Graham’s anticipates will lead to
potential annual business of £300,000, is further evidence
of Graham’s growing reputation as a producer of a range
of high quality Scottish dairy products. Graham’s, a third-generation family business, has been producing the finest tasting milk since 1939 and Graham’s butter is made from fresh cream, lightly churned to create a natural and creamy taste.

Graham’s butter is highly prized and can be found in the kitchens of many leading hotels and restaurants and on the shelves of Scotland’s supermarket and independent retailers. Following a successful rebrand last year, the company secured listings for its range of Graham’s branded milk, cream and butter, as well as its organic range, with Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s. Also in 2006, the company launched Graham’s organic slightly salted butter – the only Scottish organic butter currently on the market. 

Robert Graham, managing director, said: “Given the reputation France enjoys as the culinary capital of the world, securing this order adds a real stamp of quality to our butter and is further evidence of Scotland’s ability to produce some of the finest and most sought after ingredients.”

Graham's produces Jersey butter, salted and un-salted Scottish churned butter, as well as its organic butter, at a dedicated butter plant at its Bridge of Allan headquarters. The facility, which produces between 15-20 tonnes of butter per week, was opened by Graham’s in 2005.

3 December 2006
Bridge of Allan outs fun into Fundraising at annual
Christmas Event
The Bridge of Allan Charity Fun Day will be held this year on Sunday, 3 December, and the event looks set to raise thousands of pounds for local charities as well as attracting thousands of visitors to the village to mark the start of the festive season. This year’s Fun Day will be bigger and better with even more charities involved and more fun for all the family. A total of 15 local charities will run a variety of stalls in the village, and it anticipated that the event will raise even more money for charity than the £20,000 raised last year.

The Fun Day has become a popular annual Christmas tradition for all of the family and is once again being sponsored by Graham’s, Scotland’s largest independent family-owned dairy company, which has been based in Bridge of Allan since 1939. The day will start at 12 noon and will be officially opened by the chairman of Graham’s Family Dairy, Robert Graham snr on behalf of the sponsors. A free children’s disco will take place in the Allanbridge Social Club from 1-3.30pm, with a free selection box for each child. Later in the day, children from macrobert’s Alladin panto production will switch on the Christmas tree lights in the village’s Provost Park at 4pm. The large Christmas tree is again being donated by local delicatessen Clive Ramsay.

Adding to the festive atmosphere at the Fun Day will be carol singing by local choirs, fairground rides, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Alloa and Bowmore Pipe Band will also entertain the crowds while the Bridge of Allan Round Table will be helping Santa with his sleigh. The farmers market will be the biggest yet with a wonderful and diverse range of locally produced goods.

Amongst many other attractions, there will be the opportunity to taste award-winning organic beers free of charge at Bridge of Allan Brewery’s beer festival, watch battle re-enactments by Clan Alba and to design a Christmas bauble at Village Glass. To help keep the kids amused, there’s a chance to see birds of prey up close, Stirling Council Play Bus, face painting and the local police community officer will be demonstrating the process of finger printing. Blair Drummond Safari Park will also be making their first appearance to support the charity Fun Day. The annual extravaganza is organised by Bridge of Allan Merchants Association, representing over 60 local businesses, which helps to market Bridge of Allan as an attractive tourist destination by organising events, providing colourful hanging baskets and other village enhancements and also producing a variety of informative literature which tourists can refer to during their visit.

Douglas Ross, Fun Day organiser from the Bridge of Allan Merchants Association, said: “There really is something for the whole family at this year’s Fun Day. The event is not only a fantastic way to showcase the very best that Bridge of Allan has to offer but, more importantly, it helps to raise thousands of pounds for many deserving charities. “What nicer way can there be to do the Christmas shopping than while soaking up the festive atmosphere, enjoying a warm glass of mulled wine and sampling delicious locally produced food?”

Graham’s will be just one of the local businesses taking part in the farmer’s market. The firm will be running its own stand, sampling milk and its own-brand organic, Jersey, cream and butter products. Carol Graham, marketing director for Graham’s, said: “We are delighted to once again support the Bridge of Allan Fun Day, which is a fantastic family event and a great way of bringing the local community together. We look forward to being part of the day’s festivities.” To find out more about the Fun Day visit www.bridgeofallan.org

News Archive 2006 (Click on headline to view article)
• Bridge of Allan outs fun into Fundraising at annual Christmas Event
• Graham's scoops prestigious transport award
• Squash Champion appointed Head Coach at Bridge of Allan club
• Charity gets into its stride thanks to Graham's
• Bridge of Allan launches its first annual Sports Club Tennis Open
• Family Dairy invests in new Port Dundas Depot
• Carol Graham appointed Director of Family Dairy Business
• Game, Set and Match!
• New design delivers for Dairy
• Watroise Announces Scottish Partnership with Graham's Dairies