The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Spread of sales
Angus jam maker exports to 92 countries
Jams, preserves and marmalade maker Mackays now achieves more than a third of its sales abroad, selling everywhere from Peru to Guatemala and Indonesia.
The Arbroath business, which employs 180 people, currently exports to 92 countries.
“Success breeds success – when we get popular in one country, neighbouring countries want to import our products too,” managing director Martin Grant said.
The Scottish firm goes through thousands of tonnes of fruit a year – half of it from Scotland, while its bitter marmalade oranges are imported from the Seville area in Spain.
Mackays is best known for its household name brands – the eponymous Mackays and Mrs Bridges.
It is currently carrying out a major investment that will see the size of its premises grow by 50% to 165,000sqft.
The £3.8 million expansion will allow the company to introduce new product lines as well as create a dedicated distribution centre and co-packaging facility.
Work on the extension started in April and is expected to be complete by the end of October.
“The investment will enable us to continue to meet demand while continuing to make our products in the traditional way using steam-heated, copper-bottomed pans for a truly authentic taste,” Mr Grant said.
Mackays was founded in 1938 in Carnoustie by the Mackay brothers, but by 1995 it was owned by United Biscuits, the branded snacks giant behind household names such as Mcvitie’s Digestives, Jacob’s crackers and Carr’s water biscuits.
That year the operation was bought by Martin’s father Paul Grant, latterly the human resources director for Mcvitie’s, part of United Biscuits.
At the time of Paul’s takeover, the firm employed just 19 people, produced only 10,000 jars a year and had no branded products.
The business was the last remaining producer of the iconic Dundee orange marmalade in the area.
The Arbroath factory now has toal output of more than 25 million jars a year.
Meanwhile, annual turnover at Mackays has also increased from £6.8m a decade ago to nearly £19m last year.
Paul is now 71, but is still actively involved in the business as chairman and majority shareholder.
Martin said export markets are a key focus of Mackays.
He said fans of marmalade the world over know the Tayside connection and its provenance is a major selling point for the Mackays product.
Asked where the business could be five years from now, Martin said: “I would like to be turning over more than £25m annually and for the workforce to be 200-plus.
He added: “I would also like for us to supply more than 100 countries – and for these exports to make up 40% or more of our total sales.
“That would be fantastic.”