Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Potato firm grow with 35 new jobs
Bartlett’s will peel off bigger slice of market
Airdrie potato firm Bartlett ’s has been awarded a £ 4 million grant from the Scottish Government to help the company with an expansion which will create 35 new jobs and extend their product range.
The award is the largest made since Holyrood’s food processing, marketing and co- operation grant scheme was introduced nearly three years ago.
It will contribute to the company’s planned £ 17m investment in a major building extension and installation of new processing equipment, which will allow the introduction of new lines, primarily chilled products.
Mark Murray, managing director of Albert Bartlett’s added value business, said: “We are grateful for this grant from the Scottish Government, which is essential in allowing the company to diversify into the growing convenience and chilled potato market.
“Our development into this area will create 35 new jobs and safeguard 50 more here in Airdrie, in addition to providing security for our partners working in the entire supply chain, not least our dedicated group of potato growers.
“When the plant is operational, it will process 50,000 tonnes of potatoes per year, around 90 per cent of which will be grown in Scotland.”
Rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing MSP visited the Stirling Street factory to announce the grant award.
He said: “This award will help Albert Bartlett diversify their products, move into new markets, create new jobs and safeguard existing posts.
“This £ 4m announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to help food and drink companies, large and small, take their businesses to the next level while building on our reputation as a land of food and drink.
“Scotland’s food and drink is internationally renowned and continues to be a standout sector within our economy.
“The industry is worth around £14 billion to our economy each year, accounting for a fifth of manufacturing jobs.”
We are grateful for this grant from the Scottish Government