Dairy Crest has today been ranked top of Business in the Community’s (BITC) annual benchmark of responsible business, the Corporate Responsibility Index (CR Index). The leading British dairy company, which manufactures a number of market-leading brands including Cathedral City, FRijj milkshakes, Clover and Country Life was announced as a 4.5 Star company, the only company to receive this rating.

Dairy Crest’s Chief Executive, Mark Allen said:

“I am delighted that Dairy Crest has been placed top of the BITC’s CR index, in recognition of the vast number of environmental, marketplace, workplace and community activities we are engaged in across our business. Over the past few years, our approach to corporate responsibility has benefitted our business, the environment and the communities in which we operate.”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, BITC said:

“I congratulate Dairy Crest for achieving 4.5 rating because it demonstrates a clear commitment to an integrated approach to being a responsible business.”

Highlights of Dairy Crest’s CR programme include:

Environment

• Water usage down 17% since 2007 – on target to exceed our 20% by 2015 reduction target
• Since 2007, total carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reduced by 24%
• Energy consumption has reduced by 6% against a 2009 baseline

Marketplace

• 2013/14 saw the launch of lower fat products including; Utterly Butterly Lightly, Clover Lighter than Light, Clover additions and Fry Light Garlic Oil
• All 1.8 billion litres processed by Dairy Crest each year is British and farm assured

Workplace

• Policies on flexible working, job sharing, sabbaticals and volunteering have been put in place for staff
• The number of accidents reportable to the Health and Safety Executive has fallen for the fifth consecutive year
• Dairy Crest offers staff free cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI checks. By the end of the financial year over 40% of employees had their health checked

Community

• Dairy Crest was a founding member of the Prince’s Countryside Fund, which was set up to give grants to projects that support the people who care for the countryside
• Dairy Crest is a proud supporter of Pub is the Hub, helping to set up three community shops in the South West in the last year
• Through ‘Feeding Britain’s Future’, helped 400 young people in their quest to get a job. Held events at our Davidstow Creamery and Nuneaton Distribution Centre and co-hosted over 30 sessions with Sainsbury’s, Asda and M&S
• Over the course of 2012/13 Dairy Crest staff supported over 150 good causes through the local community programme

This week as part of Responsible Business Week, Dairy Crest will be:

• Hosting a “Seeing is Believing” workshop in Davidstow, North Cornwall, where we will be inviting local businesses to come and hear about our CR programme and how we have delivered it
• Contributing to a series of events in London about ethical investments and achieving a sustainable supply chain

For more information, please contact Olivia Seccombe, External Communications Manager on 01372 472249