Ken completed his training at the Wednesbury College of Commerce and Technology but was advised, by someone he greatly respected, not to pursue a career in engineering but to go into food. 'People have always got to eat'. He followed that advice initially working for Heinz on market research and then employed as marketing director for Eden Vale. In 1986 he started an import operation for Müller Dairy (UK) Ltd. working out of a small office overlooking the walls of Windsor Castle. This proved a dramatically successful business and after 5 years it became vital to set up an U.K. manufacturing facility. The Tern Valley Business Park offered the best option. Although he had always lived in a city Ken settled in the area and now wild horses wouldn't drag him back to an urban life.
Ken finds real pleasure in managing a successful business. 17 years ago Müller Dairy (U.K.) Ltd. didn't exist. He had to explain to friends who he worked for, but now there is a massive public awareness of the brand. It is the third largest grocery brand in the U.K. and no other brand has experienced that kind of growth in the last twenty years. Being Managing Director of a fast moving company like Müller Dairy (U.K.) means that every day is different and only rarely can he refer to previous situations to resolve problems. There is a great team of people around him who have developed a can do culture and an absolute minimum of negative responses. There is a genuine desire to meet new challenges and to think creatively.
The Company has had an impact on the community.
- Müller Dairy (U.K.) Ltd. has become a keystone in the local economy. The Company has invested £130m in the business in Market Drayton producing 1.6b pots. It employs 1,100 people of whom 45% live in North Shropshire, it uses 360 local suppliers of goods and services and buys 250m litres of milk from farms within a 30 mile radius.
- It has spent approx. £1m landscaping its site.
- It has developed links with a number of local schools, invests heavily in staff training and supports staff studying for first and post-graduate degrees.
- There are 2 canteen facilities on site used by a significant number of employees.
- It is currently investing in a pan-european software system that is very versatile, providing a rich data source that will enable the businesses to ask questions and find solutions that would not otherwise be feasible.
- It supports local events and activities and has its own local charity.
In 2004 Ken took up a new position at Weetabix, but remains a member of Taste of the Town Company. |
