40 jobs saved as Dairy Crest links with Harper Adams University

The jobs, which had looked set to disappear at the firm's Crudgington dairy, will now transfer to the new food centre in the grounds of the university, near Newport. The unique collaboration will also give students and staff access to technical expertise and state-of-the-art facilities at the centre.

The Cathedral City and Clover manufacturer will use the site for product innovation through regular interaction with staff and students.

The university's vice-chancellor Dr David Llewellyn said: "As the leading UK university working to underpin the country's agriculture and food sectors, we see many opportunities in this collaboration for both Dairy Crest and Harper Adams that will benefit farmers, our students and staff, as well as consumers.

"This is an important step for both Dairy Crest and Harper Adams.

"In a world where issues of food security and sustainability are now at the top of political and agri-food industry agendas, finding ways to increase the interaction and knowledge flow between academia and the food industry for commercial and societal benefits is going to become more important and this collaboration is most timely.

"We are also very pleased to have received support from the Higher Education Funding Council through the Catalyst Fund, in this initiative."

Dairy Crest aims to deliver 10 per cent of year-on-year growth through new product development; with scientific research, technology and product development supported by the centre key to those aims.

The centre will provide facilities for specialist food courses where food production, processing and preservation will be studied.

Dairy Crest technical and compliance director Roger Emery said: "We already have a productive working relationship and provide placements for food science students at our Technical Development Centre, in Crudgington.

"This new collaboration will be a mutual relationship.

"As well as strengthening links, the project will open new opportunities for both parties to work together and support the development of future technical professionals for the food industry."