Emerging company aims to become big cheese

Written on the 3 July 2018 by Gold Coast PR Company Consulting Hall

Gold Coast company Dairy Free Down Under is on its way to becoming the "big cheese" after collecting a prestigious new business award.

Dairy Free Down Under, which is now Australia's only large-scale manufacturer of gluten free, dairy-free, vegan-friendly cheese substitutes; was named the winners of the Emerging Business category of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards in June.

Director Kevin and Jenny Flanagan, who also own fruit wholesaler Family Fresh, say they cannot believe response the company has received to its products.

"When we launched the product nationally, the reaction was simply amazing,'' Mr Flanagan said. "The phone in the office was ringing off the hook with enquiries from companies wanting to know more about the products.

"We are now selling products throughout Australia and we are already attracting a few bites from parties overseas."

Mr Flannagan said it had taken more than three years to research and develop its range of cheese substitute products.

"Some people thought we were crazy when we told them what we were doing but we recognised there was a growing niche for non-dairy and vegan friendly food,'' he said.

"There were similar products available from overseas manufacturers, but no Australian company had successfully developed and commercialised dairy-free cheese alternatives."

"We had a few struggles during the research and development phase, but it has already proven incredibly successful."

Mr Flanagan said winning the award was a reward for many years of hard work.

"We were exceptionally excited to hear that we had won the award,'' he said. "I can't thank my team enough for all the work they have done."

The winners in the other categories for June were:

• Family Business: GCD Exhibitions
• Retail, Wholesale and Distribution: HiSmile
• Construction and Trades: Dynamic Hydro Excavations
• Manufacturing: Timbertone Garage Doors
• Professions and Business Services: Burchills Engineering Solutions
• Health and Wellbeing: POGO Physio
• I.T. and Digital Business: onPlatinum ICT
• Tourism, Hospitality and Events: Global Tour Specialists
• Student Employability: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mayor's Innovation GC: ISR Training and Recruitment

The awards' major sponsors include Ramsden Lawyers, Study Gold Coast, City of Gold Coast, Regional Development Australia Gold Coast, Choice Homes, Westpac, Harvey Norman Commercial Queensland, Optus Business Centre Gold Coast, Griffith University, Gold Coast Airport, Pindara Private Hospital and The Southport Private Hospital and Flight Centre Business Travel.

The awards' media sponsors include the Gold Coast Bulletin, Nine NBN Television, 92.5 Gold FM and 90.9 Sea FM.

The GCBEA's major supporters are KPMG, Document Solutions Australia, Bloomtools, Consulting Hall, The Graphic Design Company, The Star Gold Coast, Regina King Photography, Bruce Lynton Jaguar Land Rover and Bond University.