An award-winning cheesemaker has seen a five-fold increase in production since installing a new energy efficient heating system 12 months ago.

Installing a biomass boiler has had a huge impact on Cornish Gouda Company, allowing the team to produce five times more artisan cheese from its farm at Lanreath, South East Cornwall. Cornish Gouda Company linked up with Wendron Biomass, Cornwall’s leading provider of biomass boilers, to install the new system which is fuelled by wood from the farm.

Giel Spierings, founder and director of Cornish Gouda Company, said: “We used to have an old log burner system but it was so inefficient and wouldn’t heat the water we needed very well. We were also burning a lot of wood.

“At least 80 per cent of the energy we use comes from the boiler so it has to be as energy efficient as possible and we couldn’t be happier with the biomass boiler provided by Wendron.”

Giel added that the new boiler burns a third less wood than the former system but thanks to the success of the business, more is being used to keep up with demand for the creamy cheese.

The entrepreneur started the business to make better use of the milk produced on his parents’ dairy farm, saving the site from having to be sold as milk prices continued to fall.

The boiler is integral to various areas of cheese production, from washing the curd to pasturising the cheese and controlling the temperature of the maturing facility, so it is vital for the success of the award winning Gouda that the heating system is as powerful as possible.

The system was installed by Wendron Biomass last summer and Giel praised the staff at the Helston-based business.

Wendron Biomass has experienced a growth in commercial clients following the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which offers financial incentives for investing in renewable heat technologies.

Giel Spierings said: “All the wood we burn comes from the farm so we are very self sufficient and now very efficient.

“The team at Wendron were incredibly professional and we really benefited from all their support and advice. They also advised us on the RHI, so we can now receive quartlery cash payments.”

Wendron Biomass General Manager Gary Hawkins said: “It is fantastic news that Cornish Gouda Company is able to keep up with demand for its award winning cheeses thanks to its energy efficient biomass boiler.

“We worked alongside the company to find the best system for them, using our knowledge and experience of biomass and the RHI.

“Our team has a longstanding reputation for providing the best products and services as well as keeping up to date with all the latest technologies and grants available and we are pleased to have been able to offer our expertise to another successful Cornish business.”

A biomass boiler also heats the new Wendron Stoves showroom, which is at Water-ma-Trout Industrial Estate, Helston. Opened earlier this year after a a two-year refurbishment programme, the team transformed the space from an industrial unit to a contemporary wood-clad showroom, finished to the highest specification.

The showroom is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday.