16 Aug 2011 Plaudits for Lakeland Foods

George-based dairy ingredients producer, Lakeland Food Company, has been honoured by the town’s business community as ‘Business Person of 2011’ – that accolade may be in the singular but it was awarded jointly to Lakeland’s business partners, Des Kiely and Tracey Simons.

The winners were announced at a recent gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort & Spa where Kiely paid tribute to his partner Simons for the success story of the company and the significant expansion of their food ingredients business. He attributed its growth and success to their passion for the business, their staff and the well-being of the community, in which they are active supporters of several charitable organisations.

Lakeland manufactures a range of stabilised fruit and savoury preparations for yoghurt, flavoured milk, dips and soft cheese applications.

The company started as an ingredients supplier in 2002 when Simons, who had worked in senior food technology and management positions for Woolworths, helped Lancewood Dairy to formulate and launch SA’s first flavoured white soft cheese. Lancewood – whose factory is still only a block away from Lakeland’s factory in George – has subsequently played a leading role in the flavoured cottage cheese and cream cheese sub-categories in SA.

Kiely has been in the food industry for 20 years in sales and marketing, operations, commodity trading and consultancy roles. He met Simons in 2002 when they were both independently doing work for Lancewood.

Lakeland now supplies many dairy companies in SA, and can vicariously enjoy the many prizes won by its customers every year at the SA Dairy Championships.

Picture: Des Kiely of Lakeland Food Company was named the joint-winner of the Business Person of 2011, at a gala dinner held by George Business Chamber, at Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort & Spa. With him is the Chamber President Imel Rautenbach. His business partner Tracey Simons was not present at the hand-over.

Lakeland: T 044 878-0859; [email protected]; www.lakelandfoodco.co.za