Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses (BFC), based in Lancashire, has acquired the Hampshire Cheese Company (HCC) in a move to enhance its range of soft cheeses. The undisclosed acquisition is effective immediately. This strategic purchase aligns with BFC’s goal of expanding its soft cheese offerings, a segment it has been focusing on for the past two years. The company has been developing new soft cheeses under its own brand name and introducing new products such as Button Mill and Kidderston Ash goats cheese.
HCC, known for its Camembert-style Tunworth and Winslade soft cheese rounds, was established in 2005 by Stacey Hedges. Following the acquisition, Hedges and the six employees at the HCC facility in Hampshire will continue their work under the BFC umbrella. Matthew Hall, the fourth-generation owner of BFC, highlighted that the acquisition is in line with the company’s soft cheese strategy and shared mission to promote the British cheese industry.
Founded in 1932 and currently run by the fourth generation of the Butlers family, BFC’s portfolio includes a variety of cheeses such as Ravens Oak soft goat’s cheese, Beacon Blue, Stratford Blue cheese, Goosnargh Gold, and Parlick. The company reported an annual turnover rate of £18.2m in 2022 and employs 100 people at its Longridge facility.
Both BFC and HCC cater to retailers and foodservice stockists across the UK. While HCC has primarily supplied retailers like Waitrose, Neal’s Yard, Fine Cheese, and Courtyard Dairy, BFC’s products are available at retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, and Asda. Additionally, BFC has partnerships with retailers, independents, and hospitality businesses across Europe.
Overall, the acquisition of HCC by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses strengthens BFC’s position in the food and beverage industry and aligns with its strategic goals of expanding its soft cheese offerings and driving the British cheese renaissance. This move not only adds value to BFC’s product portfolio but also allows for the continuation of HCC’s legacy and high-quality cheese production.
