Outstanding in their field – dairy firm scoops fourth Queen’s Award for exporting

A Wiltshire producer of dairy products has won the coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise – International Trade for the fourth time since 2001.

Coombe Castle International, which produces and exports high quality British and Irish dairy products from its base at Melksham, where it employs 35 people, will officially receive their award from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in June.

Founded in 1980, the company exports its own cream and also butter and cheese products from a range of farms, creameries and dairies in the UK and Ireland.

In order to win the award, the company had to demonstrate substantial year-on-year growth over six years. Sales at Coombe Castle have increased by nearly fifty percent over the period, and the firm has tripled the size of its warehouse and office space.

Managing director Darren Larvin said: “We are delighted to receive our fourth Queen’s Award, a feat few other companies in dairy industry and general food sector can match.

“It is a great honour for all our employees at Coombe Castle who’ve worked so hard over the years to build this business.

“This award is recognition of the team’s effort and dedication and the loyalty of our suppliers and customers around the world.

“This has been a very successful period for us with much of our growth coming from our markets in the US and Canada. We’ve also been able to develop in new markets like China, Mexico, South Africa, and New Zealand.”

Coombe Castle also won Queen’s Awards in 2001, 2007 and 2013.