Wincanton Cheese Systems, part of the Moody Group of Companies, has signed an agency agreement for the UK and Ireland with Mercer Technologies for its 'CCP' cartonless cheese production system.

The system allows large-scale producers of traditional 40lbs/20kg hard cheese blocks such as cheddar, to massively reduce their operating costs and reduce their carbon footprint by replacing the cardboard used in the manufacturing process with reusable precision made stainless moulds.

A cheese factory producing around 20,000 tonnes per year of cheddar in block form is typically spending in excess of £500,000 annually on cardboard cartons. Not only does all this money ultimately go to waste, but also the disposal of the cardboard contributes greatly to Europe's carbon footprint.

Shaun Mullins, Wincanton Sales Manager commented, "Many of my customers are currently looking to
upgrade their manufacturing processes. They are coming under increased pressure to deliver the
highest quality cheese to the major retail customers, at lower and lower prices. The CCP system
is the single biggest leap forward in cheese manufacturing technology in years, and we are now
able to offer our UK and Irish customers the opportunity to enjoy the benefits resulting from
this new technology."

The stainless moulds which replace the cardboard cartons used during the cheese production
process also improve the shape of the cheese blocks. This is an important feature, as the
more regular in shape the block, the less cheese is wasted as 'off cuts' during the retail
cutting and packing process.

Commenting on the cartonless cheese system, Emmanuel Roth, Mercer Technologies'
Account and New Business Development Manager, said, "We are very pleased to be
working with Wincanton in the UK and Ireland. After the original development of
the cartonless cheese system in Australia proved to be a runaway success,
cheesemakers in the US and Japan have recently seen the massive
opportunity to reduce their manufacturing costs and are committed
to cartonless cheese systems. Now, as a result of our partnership with
Wincanton, British and Irish cheese manufacturers will also be able to
benefit from the technology."

Further information about the cartonless cheese system is available
from Shaun Mullins of Wincanton Cheese Systems
on +44 (0)7970 945954.