Administrators appointed at 124-year-old diary manufacturer

Brancourts Dairy has gone into administration, with approximately 50 manufacturing workers stood down across the company’s two factories.

ABC Gippsland reports that the company, which began in 1895, has been hit by high milk prices in Victoria following dairy farm closures and a shortage of supply. Administrators PKF Australia said a high level of enquiry was expected.

A statement from PKF sent to Food & Drink Business reads, “The business continues to trade with customers as the Administrators assess formal restructuring options to place the business back on a sustainable footing.”

Brancourts stood down roughly 50 staff in manufacturing roles, approximately half of its workforce, on Friday across its Hexham, NSW and Traralgon, Victoria sites. The remaining staff are involved in customer relations, logistics, and a small amount of production roles.

According to its website, Brancourts makes products including cottage cheese, sweetened condensed milks, bocconcini and haloumi, and is owned by Julie Brancourt, the fourth generation of the family business. Its products are stocked in Woolworths, Metcash and Harris Farms stores.

Picture: ABC Gippsland/Jarrod Whittaker