Yorkshire Dales Meat Company was founded in 2004, but the Knox family have over 100 years of farming history here on Mill Close Farm. Initially, Stephen Knox started selling meat at local markets during the downturn of the Foot and Mouth crisis. Here, he realised the value in selling local products to local people, and subsequently the company began supplying local shops. Since 2004, the company has moved on to supplying some of the biggest hotels and restaurants in the Manchester, Newcastle, Hull, York and Leeds areas, whilst still farming cattle on the family land.
Key Dates
- 1990 – Ceased Milk Production and set up a Beef Herd
- 1999 – Began trading as Yorkshire Dales Beef, selling at local markets
- 2003 – Won the Yorkshire Independent Grocers Association Local Product of the Year
- 2004 – Expanded with a 50,000 square foot facility
- 2006 – Jonathan Carter joins the business as General Manager
- 2007 – James Knox joins the business as Factory Manager
- 2007 – First supermarket deal
- 2008 – Won the Deliciously Yorkshire prepared meat award
- 2009 – Won producer of the year at the annual International Business Forum Awards
- 2013 – First products supplied to Asda Stores
- 2015 – First products supplied to Co-op Stores
- 2016 – Acquired Ackroyds Restaurant Meats
- 2018 – Starting delivering into the North East of England
- 2020 – Opened farm shop on site