The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Thriving dairy to deliver more jobs
Dundee-based Kerr’s Family Dairy will add jobs and move premises because of the soaring demand for milk deliveries.
The firm has seen a huge increase in demand for its doorstep delivery services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It now supplies more than 60,000 glass bottles of milk to thousands of grateful customers in Dundee and Aberdeen every week.
Kerr’s has now set its eyes on an extensive expansion across the north-east.
It plans to purchase and relocate its main operations to a 4,630sq ft unit on Ash Street, Dundee.
Kelvin Kerr Jr, director at Kerr’s Family Dairy, said: “Although the past 12 months has brought many challenges and uncertainty due to the current environment, we are very grateful to find ourselves in a fortunate position as the demand for delivery services soared amid lockdown.
“Between our Dundee and our Aberdeen depots, we are now serving a customer base of more than 13,000.
“It’s exceeded our business targets and we’re extremely proud to serve so many communities across the country.”
The expansion is supported with a £450,000 funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland.
Part of the funding has also been used to purchase a fleet of 10 extra vans.
This has allowed the firm to accelerate its presence across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire after it opened a depot in the city last year.
It expects to create a dozen new jobs across the north-east over the next six months as its success continues.
“The funding from Royal Bank of Scotland has enabled us to continue our ambitious business growth pipeline,” Mr Kerr added.
“We’re in a strong position to take our services to new regions as customers place greater importance on supporting local and sustainable businesses.”
Kerr’s Family Dairy is a fifth-generation company which has operated in Dundee for more than 120 years. Its current premises are on Strathmartine Road.
It opened its Aberdeen depot at Bridge of Don’s Murcar Commercial Park just at the time when the country went into lockdown last year.
It has almost quadrupled its output over the course of a year. Last March it was selling an average of 17,000 bottles.
Several of its new milk delivery workers were selfemployed taxi drivers who experienced a slump in demand as more people stayed at home.
Kenny Walker, commercial relationship manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “It has been rewarding to help enable this exciting new chapter for Kelvin Kerr Jr and his team as they relocate to a larger headquarters to match the unbelievable demand for their services.
“Their commitment to delivering high-quality products and building strong relationships with the communities they deliver to is evident.
“The funding boost will allow the team to continue the already top-class job they are doing with confidence.
“I look forward to hearing about their future success as we continue a positive relationship with the firm.”