The Cheeky Cow brokers deal to resurrect Margaret River Dairy Company

Margaret River Dairy Company is set to live again thanks to a local operator who has snapped up the failed dairy as part of ambitious expansion plans.

Busselton-based The Cheeky Cow bought the former Chinese-owned dairy late last year in an endeavour to expand owner Hayden Russell’s business beyond the South West.

The purchase also included yoghurt producer Mundella Foods, which alongside Manassen Foods, MRDCo’s original owner, were part of Chinese-owned Bright Foods Group that shut the Metricup operator down in August after saying a buyer could not be found.

The deal, brokered by PwC and Capes Advisory Services, was lauded as a “fantastic result” by The Cheeky Cow’s managing director.

“We are looking forward to bringing back the much-loved household brand of Margaret River Dairy Company to consumers, as well as introducing The Cheeky Cow’s regeneratively farmed, artisanal range of award-winning butter, cream and sustainably bottled milk,” Mr Russell said.

“The deal … is a fantastic result for the businesses and all the great people working at Margaret River Dairy Company, who are delighted to be back and doing what they do best: making exceptional quality dairy products.”

Mr Russell said he and his partners were “passionate about the Margaret River region and were dedicated to sourcing premium local ingredients to make the best quality dairy produce”.

Business development director Julie Kirby said the purchase would please residents as well as tourists who felt the loss of the iconic dairy.

“We are working hard to get our products back into local shops and are looking forward to collaborating with other local food producers to present a refreshed epicurean experience when we reopen the on-site shopfront,” she said.

Mr Russell was already known to be developing a fully-compostable milk bottle as part of the innovation of his brand.

The Cheeky Cow’s products are already stocked at several IGAs and independent retailers across Perth and the South West, including the Bunbury Farmers Market.

Mr Russell is set to move The Cheeky Cow operations to the Metricup site after a refit and upgrade.