About Us
Ehrmann Cornish Dairy is the home of two well-loved names in dairy: the Bavarian-founded, family-owned Ehrmann, and the family-founded Trewithen Dairy. Trewithen was founded by the Clarkes in 1976, with the original dairy still very much our home today. By combining German scale and expertise with Cornish quality and care, we’re creating something unique in the UK dairy sector.
Our HISTORY
Founded in 1976, the Clarkes had their own herd. In 1994, Rachel Clark started making the first batches of clotted cream, and so it began, the brand Trewithen Dairy was born. Bill and Rachel would bottle the milk once the children were in bed and deliver it early the next morning. They cooked the clotted cream themselves, in open trays and potted it by hand. Their customers loved all the Cornish dairy goodness, and soon the Clarkes were supplying more and more happy customers.
By 2001, the milk bottling and cream-making side of the business had become so successful that a big decision had to be made. To continue dairy farming or switch entirely to processing milk. It wasn’t an easy decision, but the family sold their herd and moved full-time into producing milk, cream and, more recently, butter and yoghurt.
The founders sold the business in June 2024 to the Ehrmann group, an independent 3rd Generation family-owned business, which is one of Germany’s leading dairy companies with over 100 years of heritage and a history of innovation in the production of high-quality dairy products.
Today, 2026
With a 200-strong Cornish-based workforce, we are proud to be Ehrmann Cornish Dairy, producing high-quality dairy products. Our brand, Trewithen Dairy, represents the best of the county, both in people and the products we make. It’s a family, and we share those values in supporting one another to achieve success.
With a strong heritage of innovation and a deep commitment to quality, we work closely with over 40 local Cornish farmers to source the freshest milk for our clotted cream, yoghurts, butter, and high-protein desserts. We produce great-tasting, high-quality products loved by many in Cornwall, and are starting to make waves across the UK through increased distribution in major supermarkets.
Our ongoing investment in infrastructure, people, and partnerships is all about supporting a vibrant, future-focused UK dairy industry rooted in provenance, built on trust, and proud of where we come from.
meet the founders
Francis Clarke
Meet Francis Clarke. Current Chief Procurement Officer of Trewithen Dairy. Francis has been involved in the business for over 15 years. Passionate about dairy and sustainability, you’ll often find Francis waxing lyrical about the carbon neutral potential of regenerative farming or the latest developments in electric vehicles! In his personal time, Francis enjoys running on the Cornish coast path and spending time with his wife and three children on the Cornish beaches – he feels most alive when outdoors – favourite quote is ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing’.
Rachel Clarke
Meet Rachel Clarke. Co-founder of Trewithen Dairy. Our story starts with Rachel, as she started making clotted cream back in 1994 using the milk brought in from their own herd. Bill and Rachel would bottle the milk once their four children were in bed and deliver it early the next morning. They cooked the clotted cream themselves, in open trays and potted it by hand. Soon, the Clarkes were supplying more and more happy customers. By 2001, the milk bottling and cream making side of the business had become so successful that the family made the brave decision to sell their herd and moved full time into producing milk, cream, butter and yoghurt.
Bill Clarke
Meet Bill Clarke, co-founder with his wife Rachel. Bill Clarke started his career as a dairy farmer and still runs his farm. He has been an officeholder in the NFU with various chairman positions, including chairman of Cornwall, the South West and a national NFU committee.
