UK dairy industry event celebrates doorstep delivery
The Doorstep Conference was held at Haydock Park, in Merseyside, for representatives from across the industry to take part in a day of presentations on business development, particularly on how marketing and promotion can increase customer numbers, and how to tackle health and safety challenges.
The session began with a look at how to promote the health benefits of dairy and also addressed the growing importance of digital communications and increasing online visibility.
The conference was open to all bottled milk businesses, wholesalers, processors and suppliers. Sponsors included Pensworth Dairies, Delamere Dairy, Wenlock Spring, and DairyData.
Awards presented
At the evening portion of the event, Charlie Thomas and Roseanne McEwan won the Milkman of the Year and the Marketing & Promotion Award respectively, in recognition of their contribution to the UK dairy industry.
Thomas, 24, who delivers milk in Sale and Trafford, was nominated by his Creamline customers and judged by a panel from Dairy UK.
Thomas said that he started to accompany his father on his milk rounds when he was just eight.
“I learnt that a milkman must be punctual, have an eye for detail, and no matter the weather, smile,” Thomas said.
McEwan joined Cotteswold Dairy as brand development manager in 2015.
McEwan said she came into the role with no previous experience in brand development and marketing, but enjoyed the creative process of developing a brand identity and creating a whole branding package.
The runner up for Milkman of the Year 2016 was Fred Tandy from Cotteswold Dairy, and runner up for the Marketing & Promotion award was Steve Neary, general sales manager from Creamline Dairies.
