Supplier Spotlight: Mills Milk,100 years in the Dairy industry
In our first of the Winter season spotlight features we speak with one of our dairy supply partners, Mills Milk.
Based in Ayrshire, the Scottish Red Tractor certified dairy company has a long and rich history in the industry and is only becoming better with age. With nearly 100 years of delivering the freshest dairy products, we’re proud to welcome them into the United Fresh family of supply partners.
We can’t wait for you to get to know them…
Interview:
UF: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us, we’re so pleased to have you onboard as one of our supply partners. Would we be able to start off by sharing a brief overview of Mills Milk and your rich history?
MM: Of course! We were established nearly 100 years, where we supplied fresh milk and produce to families and businesses in our local area. The family business started on the Isle of Arran, where Alastair Mills’ mother moved the family to Largs and they formally established the business, Gordon’s Dairy. In the early 2000’s Alastair’s son Adam joined the company, and we re-established as Mills Milk.
UF: Wow, so three generations in and the passion is still there! Initially, how did you become involved (and remain) in dairy supply, and what drew you to this aspect of foodservice supply?
MM: Milk has been in the family all our lives, but the big change happened when Alastair’s son, Adam, joined the company in the early 2000’s. With a thriving Scottish hospitality industry, the need for fresh products delivered directly to businesses was huge. The knowledge and experience we had meant our family was in the perfect position to provide this service and support our local businesses!
UF: With nearly 100 years of experience in the family, what do you consider to be the most important qualities or skills for a successful dairy producer and supplier?
MM: We believe the ability to pivot and embrace a quick change of direction is key to surviving a volatile industry, alongside a strong work ethic and a dedicated team of course too.
"We see the welfare of animals and the sustainability of processes at the forefront of the future for the industry."
UF: You have the benefit of having a deep understanding of dairy farming. How do you see the future of dairy production & supply evolving? Particularly considering technological advancements and changing consumer preferences.
MM: We see the welfare of animals and the sustainability of processes at the forefront of the future for the industry. Dairy is an essential item for most households and businesses and technological advancements will ensure companies can keep up with the demand without negatively impacting the quality of the product or the way it is produced.
UF: Like us, you are incredibly passionate about supporting local producers and businesses. Just how important is local sourcing to your business and why do you believe it’s important to support local producers?
MM: We try our very best to offer customers fresh products from as close to home as possible. The vast majority of our products come from Scotland, with the rest coming from England where needed. One of our further sourced products is our oat milk in glass bottles which is produced in Lancashire. So really, not that far. By keeping as much close to home as possible we are benefiting both Scotland’s workforce and economy, which is a central element to our business.
UF: Neither the agriculture nor the foodservice supply industry have been without trials in the last few years. What are some of the challenges specific to dairy farms and supply that people may not be aware of?
MM: The demand for milk in the UK is very high and with fewer and fewer dairy farmers still in business, the ones that do remain have to work extremely hard to maintain the levels of production needed to meet demand.
Producing a product with such a short shelf life and higher effort storage requirements is always a challenge, but by investing in high quality refrigeration locations and vehicles we can ensure that the product is as fresh as possible when it arrives with our customer.
It’s also obvious when mentioned, but dairy products tend to be a lot heavier than some other types of ingredients and take up a significant volume in comparison. This means that our transport teams must be diligent and constantly evolving when it comes to routing and deliveries. Making sure we keep our routes concise to not add unnecessary food mileage to the products whilst en route to our clients.
UF: With such a long-standing history, can you share any memorable experiences or milestones from your journey as a business?
MM: One of our favourites is when we opened our depot in Inverness and became the only dairy supplier able to service the people of the Highlands… Which is still an extremely proud moment for us all.
UF: Finally, are there any exciting developments or projects on the horizon for your team?
MM: Of course! We’ve always got something in the pipeline. 2025 is going to be quite a year… Keep your eyes peeled!
Thank you to the team at Mills Milk for their time and for answering our questions.
Mills Milk is a superb example of the kind of companies we love to work with. They are passionate about growing quality produce and experimenting with new and sustainable methods to grow the food we consume. We are delighted to have them on board!
If you have any queries about Mills Milk, please contact us or take a look at their website for more information.
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