To trace the history of Cottee is to trace the history of the Australian milk industry.

Cottee has its origin in the northern NSW township of Lismore. From these humble dairy roots, the company rapidly transformed into a pioneering company of Australian milk products thanks to the imagination and enterprise of Spencer Cottee.

Throughout the course of the 20th century, Spencer Cottee displayed great innovation in the use of milk by-products, particularly in the production and marketing of casein.

Initially a product utilized mainly in industrial applications, Spencer realized the potential casein had to offer the global food industry.

As the market for casein expanded, several plants in Queensland and NSW were constructed, which quickly developed the casein market beyond its limited industrial applications and out into the arena of the global food industry.

A progressive company, whose identity is nonetheless bound to its history, Cottee is now a 5th generation family-owned company. It is currently under the Directorship of Ross Cottee. With an intimate knowledge of the international nutritional marketplace, Ross Cottee’s business acumen is testament to over 100 continual years of family expertise.