Granarolo, one of Italy’s leading dairy groups, is deepening its presence in the United Kingdom with the acquisition of 100% of West Horsley Dairy Limited, a long-established British distributor serving London’s hospitality industry.
Founded in 1992 by Philip and Catherine Colton, West Horsley Dairy has built a reputation for quality distribution of milk, cream, cheese, yogurt, and breakfast products. The company reported revenues of around £16 million in 2024, employs 73 people, and operates a fleet of 43 refrigerated vehicles. With around 500 clients—mainly restaurants, pubs, and hotels—the Surrey-based firm has developed a strong foothold across southeast England, particularly in the London Horeca sector.
A STRATEGIC MOVE IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET
The deal is a key step in Granarolo’s long-term international strategy. “The consolidation in the UK is an important step in the group’s international growth strategy,” said Gianpiero Calzolari, Chairman of Granarolo. “Our goal is to grow the presence of Italian dairy in the UK significantly, focusing on the Horeca and foodservice segments in London, where West Horsley has built a strong position.”
The acquisition builds on Granarolo’s existing UK operations, launched in 2018 through the acquisition of Midland Food Group, which became Granarolo UK Ltd. Since then, the company has steadily expanded its local footprint. In 2025, its UK sales volumes rose 8.6% year on year (YTD July 2025), and the group now accounts for 12.8% of Italian dairy exports to the UK. Overall, exports account roughly for 40% of Granarolo’s total sales, while the group holds a 9.1% share of all Italian dairy exports worldwide.
INTEGRATION AND FUTURE GROWTH
The integration of West Horsley Dairy will focus on broadening the company’s offering to the British market. “Over the coming year, we aim to integrate West Horsley’s product portfolio with our wide range of Italian cheeses—fresh and matured varieties including mozzarella, burrata, stracciatella, mascarpone, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gorgonzola, Pecorino, and other Italian specialties,” said Anthony Bosco, Chief Executive Officer of Granarolo UK.
The move reflects Granarolo’s wider effort to align Italian dairy excellence with local distribution expertise, strengthening its competitive edge in the premium hospitality and foodservice segments.
A SEAMLESS TRANSITION FOR A TRUSTED BRITISH BRAND
For founders Philip and Catherine Colton, the acquisition marks both an end and a new beginning for the company they built over three decades. “We are delighted to hand over West Horsley Dairy to a company like Granarolo, which has made quality a fundamental value of its business,” the Coltons said in a joint statement. “We believe it will be a perfect fit, enhancing West Horsley’s offering and delivering even greater satisfaction to the many clients who have placed their trust in us over the years.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As part of its 2026–2029 strategic plan, Granarolo has identified the UK and Germany as key European markets for further expansion. With London’s hospitality scene continuing to rebound and evolve, the acquisition positions the Italian group to capture new growth opportunities in one of Europe’s most competitive and diverse food landscapes.