Embleton Hall Dairy partners with Elopak and unveils revamp for school milk

Embleton Hall Dairy in County Durham, has embarked on a new era by partnering with Elopak to switch all its school milk to Pure-Pak cartons. This move comes as part of an investment in new facilities and cutting-edge technology to bring more sustainability and growth to the family business which has been a cornerstone of the community since 1984.

Investing to expand

To support the transition, Embleton Hall Dairy undertook the construction of a substantial new extension at its Murton Hall Farm site. Built in December 2024, the new structure represents a decisive investment in the dairy’s future, occupying nearly half the size of the existing dairy.

Revolutionising Production

Central to Embleton Hall Dairy’s expansion includes a Shikoku filling machine from Elopak, installed in February 2025.

“What we have now is the “Rolls Royce” of filling machines,” explains Kirk Newton, commercial director, Embleton Hall Dairies. “We see the Shikoku filling machine as the pinnacle of dairy technology, offering unmatched efficiencies. Our team spent a dedicated week over the summer with Elopak technicians mastering its advanced systems, which enabled a smooth transition.”

With the Shikoku machine, Embleton Hall has ramped up capacity, slashed waste, and cut production times, all while raising the bar for carton quality and safety. The machine’s clinical, linear layout keeps things clean and efficient, and lower noise levels mean a safer, more productive workspace.

Embleton Hall’s first school milk in 250ml Pure-Pak cartons hit the classroom in September 2025. With a fun design for its ‘my milk’ Embleton delivers ‘super yummy’ whole and semi skimmed milk across schools in the Northeast regions of the UK.

Sustaining Growth: Expanding Capabilities

The partnership with Elopak and the transition to Pure-Pak cartons have positioned Embleton Hall Dairy at the forefront of modern dairy production. The company is now able to deliver school milk in packaging that is both environmentally conscious and highly practical. Increased efficiency has unlocked opportunities to expand the company’s offerings and scale up its operations.

“The new line is a driver for growth,” adds Kirk Newton. “We have almost doubled volumes since the installation and now produce over 200 tonnes of dairy products a week distributed across the country.”

Family-run Embleton Hall Dairy, now in its third generation, has grown from a small farm dairy into a regional supplier—still sourcing 95% of its milk from farms within 25 miles. Today, it delivers milk, cream, and artisan butter to retailers, wholesalers, NHS hospitals, universities, and food manufacturers across the Northeast of England and Merseyside, plus also to the Kosher market.