Strong growth in overseas markets has earned dairy products exporter Coombe Castle International a highly coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
The Award for International Trade – the fifth for the firm and the first since Charles III ascended to the throne last September – recognises its 46% growth in turnover against what it called “the very challenging international trade conditions of the past three years”.
The Melksham-based firm has been exporting British and Irish dairy products across the world for more than four decades, including shipping cheese to the US and Canada, cream to Singapore and butter to Malta and Malaysia.
The business was founded in Corsham in 1980 by chairman Glyn Woolley, with its first order of 10 tonnes of cheese going to Canada.
This was quickly followed by sales requests for cheese to Japan, the US and Hong Kong.
Its first Queen’s Award came in 2001. Today it employs a team of 35 and partners with 40 suppliers to export to more than 45 countries.
Its traditional cheeses – ranging from brie and stilton to cheddar – are enjoyed in restaurants across North America, while it exports goats butter to discerning Germans and its cream is a major part of cafe society in South Korea.
Expansion over the past three years has included growing its presence and reach in the US and Canada as well as expanding into new markets, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dominican Republic and Belgium.
Coombe Castle managing director Darren Larvin said the company was thrilled to receive its fifth Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
“It is a great honour for all our employees, who have worked so hard over the years to grow our business,” he added.
“This award is recognition of their effort, their dedication and the loyalty of our suppliers and customers around the world.
“This has been a very successful period for the business. The award recognises our accomplishment and the invaluable contribution made by the team here to that success.
“With the continued investment in people, marketing and system processes, we are well placed to grow further as we open new markets for the great British brands we export.”
The Awards for Enterprise programme is now in its 57th year, with more than UK 7,000 companies recognised through the scheme since its inception in 1965.
Ahead of the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, some 148 businesses have been recognised in five categories.
Coombe Castle is one of 78 to gain the International Trade Award, while 47 have been recognised in the Innovation category, 15 for Sustainable Development, and nine for Promoting Opportunity.
Previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, the new name reflects the King’s desire to continue the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
