Since launching in 1948, with just 30 acres and 10 cows on land in Holmfirth, the company now employs 120 staff and is a multinational organisation, with a small farm in Uruguay and a successful operation in Australia, which supplies the Far East. It also takes milk from around 30 other British dairy farms, much of it from Jersey cows, needed for its high protein content.
“One thing which stuck with him was seeing cottage cheese for the first time. He was in the Pacific Campaign on a Navy ship and the British sailors had very little to eat, just minimal rations. “They would see American ships and communicate with US troops and saw they had all sorts to eat and drink, like fresh orange juice and cottage cheese.” When his great uncle, Jonas Hinchliffe, died he left the farm to Joseph and Edgar. By 1948 they were working differently to other farms.