Feeding the North for over 50 years...
Our History
1954
Our founder, Les Ratcliffe bought a milk round from his father, James.
1958
Les and his wife, Nancy moved their young family to Dunsters Farm, a run down pig farm in Brandlesholme.
1960
Les met a Dutchman in Clitheroe who was making something new called ‘Yogurt’. None of Les’ customers had heard of yogurt and most thought it was ‘sour milk’! Les however was convinced there was potential and offered the yogurt on sale or return.
1963
Dunsters Farm became a limited company.
1970
Following the success of the Manchester Market unit, Dunsters opened up a unit at Liverpool Wholesale Fruit and Veg Market. This meant more early mornings for the family but it quickly grew and eventually two vans delivered from Liverpool market to customers around Liverpool and Southport.
1982
Jeremy (the current MD), together with two of Les’ daughters; Elizabeth and Heather and long serving staff member, Jack Rothwell, opened up a unit on the Wholesale Market in Birmingham.
1982
Our company founder Les Ratcliffe MBE took up the role of Chairman. Jeremy Mathew become Managing Director, a position he has now served for over 34 years.
1987
Les’ son, James, joined the business after leaving school. It was around this time that Dunsters purchased their first computer (the size of a large washing machine!) and opened depots in Kirkham and Yorkshire.
1991
Made the move from the original Dunsters Farm in Brandlesholme to a new home in Tottington.
1990's
A significant contract win with Sayers the Bakers saw Dunsters Farm delivering to bakery shops in and around Liverpool.
2006
2014
In 2014, James left to pursue other business interests and Jeremy and Elizabeth’s children, Hannah and Tom, joined the family business as the third generation.
2016
2016 has been a busy year, with the business gaining Food for Life, Red Tractor and Soil Association Accreditation as well as the implementation of a new ERP system to help improve the service we are able to offer to customers as we look to the future.
Our mission has never changed – quality products, excellent service, great prices.
We operate a fleet of multi temperature vehicles, ideal for delivering chilled and ambient products to our customers. Our fleet is maintained locally with all vehicles being regularly inspected, serviced and repaired to ensure they are roadworthy and suitable for delivering to our customers. In 2015, we fitted trackers to all our vehicles. This technology allows us to quickly locate drivers in order to provide customers with a realistic estimated time of arrival. All our drivers are all professionally trained with current and valid CPC qualifications.
We hold STS accreditation, ensuring that our procedures, systems and premises are of the highest standard. We have recently been awarded Red Tractor certification for our commitment to environmentally friendly produce.
Here are just some of the companies and charities which we work in partnership with.
