It became one of the largest milk processors and distributors in north-east England.
After NECS merged with the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS, now the Co-operative Group) in 1992, Associated Co-operative Creameries absorbed CWS Milk Group, a milk processor and distributor based in Wales and north west England.
[2] The abbreviated trading name ACC was adopted in 2001 when the milk and distribution operations were split.
By 2004, Associated Co-operative Creameries Limited, trading as ACC Milk, was the UK's fourth largest dairy business, when it was sold to yet another co-operative, Dairy Farmers of Britain of Nantwich, Cheshire, forming Britain's largest milk co-operative, and the UK's third largest milk processor.
[3][4] ACC moved its registered address to Nantwich at that time.