Selected Case Study – Cream O’Galloway Dairy
Leading organic ice-cream manufacturer Cream O’Galloway Dairy was one of the high profile VIBES award winners at the 2007 ceremony in the small sized company category.
The family-run Castle Douglas-based business picked up its accolade having impressed judges with its environmentally friendly manufacturing, organic farming and unique ice cream.
It was also recognised for its extensive contribution to the local economy and community made through its four-star visitor centre – which accounts for 40 per cent of its annual turnover.
Wilma Finlay, managing director of Cream O’ Galloway Dairy, said: “The environment is fundamental to everything we do. Minimising environmental impact underpins our strategy. We believe organic farming is the future for sustainable food production; our ice cream production is powered by electricity from our community wind turbine; and activities at our visitor centre explain our efforts to make a difference.
”We strongly believe that winning a VIBES award has helped us demonstrate our environmental commitment to customers and consequently has had a positive affect on our business.”
Since opening in 1994 Cream O’Galloway Dairy has taken significant measures to reduce its environmental impact and evolve its business practices to play a central role in the local community.
Initiatives to increase the biodiversity of the 850 acre farm include planting 30,000 native trees and hedges and the creation of on-site wetland to attract wildlife, as well as the introduction of four miles of nature trails to the site.
In addition, its extensive re-use and recycling ethos, solar pannels and the reduction of artificial fertilizer – which has dropped from 130 tonnes per year to zero since 1999 – has significantly contributed to Cream O’Galloway Dairy’s environmental and business savings and were major factors in receiving the VIBES accolade.
Not only is the prize testament to Cream O’Galloway’s impressive environmental initiatives, but it also highlights the farming industry’s ability to diversify to stay in business. The launch of its visitor centre and its ever-expanding range of organic premium dairy products is evidence of the dairy’s versatility and understanding of its local market as well as its own business needs.
Now in its ninth year, VIBES is managed by a partnership of organisations including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Scottish Government, the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland and CBI Scotland, and the scheme is sponsored by previous winner Chivas Brothers – Pernod Ricard.
For more information on Cream O’Galloway Dairy, please visit: www.creamogalloway.co.uk.
For further information about how your business can benefit from entering VIBES, contact VIBES coordinator Linsey McGillivray on 01896 754797 or log on to www.vibes.org.uk.