The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Bartletts add value to Scottish potatoes
CONTRACT: Scots producer’s fresh range of chilled dishes means 35 new jobs and a promise to ‘take the market by storm’
A new range of chilled potato products is to be launched by Albert Bartlett, a key player in the Scottish potato market.
The products, all made from redskinned Rooster potatoes, are likely to include buttery mash, cheesy mash, root veg mash and colcannon. They will be produced in a new plant at the company’s headquarters in Airdrie following a £4 million food processing grant from the Scottish Government last year.
Scottish growers make up the bulk of Bartlett’s 85 suppliers, with the grower group producing 80% of the company’s requirements. This move into chilled products follows the company’s 2015 diversification into the frozen potato market, producing roasts, home-style chips, chunky chips and wedges at its plant in Norfolk.
The new chilled products will be sold in major UK retailers and used by food service customers. The company has already won a three-year contract with one of the big four supermarkets for its prepared range.
Bartlett’s new factory will have the capability of producing 35,000 tonnes, or 74 million 400g packs, for sale across the UK each year from September. That equates to around a third of the current prepared market.
Mark Murray, managing director of Albert Bartlett’s added-value business, said the development would create 35 new jobs and safeguard 50 more in Airdrie, in addition to providing security for partners working in the entire supply chain and the dedicated group of potato growers.
He added: “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. When the plant is operational, it will process 50,000 tonnes of potatoes per year, around 90% of which will be grown in Scotland.”
A new development kitchen at Airdrie was opened this month by Andrew Fairlie, chef and patron of Scotland’s only two-michelin-starred restaurant at Gleneagles Hotel.
The kitchen will allow recipe testing and development for the whole business, including the new chilled facility.
Mr Fairlie, a brand ambassador, said: “This is really exciting news for retailers and for customers. I am sure that, with its new range of chilled potato products, Albert Bartlett will take the market by storm.”
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
“This is really exciting news for retailers and for customers. ANDREW FAIRLIE