Jams maker Mackays to expand production

Firm behind Dundee Marmalade and Mrs Bridges preserves to add new lines

Angus jams, chutneys and marmalades producer Mackays expects to begin production from its expanded manufacturing line early in 2019.

Managing director Martin Grant said major investment into the business over the past couple of years had allowed the group to add a new “food service” production line.

Exact details of what the new lines will be have yet to be made public but Mr Grant said he expected the commissioning process on the new production equipment to be complete by the turn of the year.

Space was cleared for the new line at the group’s production base at Kirkton Industrial Estate in Arbroath after Mackays moved to acquire a neighbouring industrial site.

That unit is now handling all of the group’s co-packing and logistics operations.

Mr Grant said he anticipates the new line coming on-stream in early 2019.

“We fully commissioned and moved into our new facility in the mid-point of this year,” he said.

“We have taken all of the co-packing business from the main site and moved it across the road and that gave us the space to invest and put in the new equipment at the main site.

“That will be the food service production line.

“That is new product in which we are investing.”

Mr Grant said reinvestment was the reason behind a 2017 profits drop.

New filings at Companies House show the producer booked a marginal sales rise to £18.91 million in the year to December 31.

Pre-tax profits came in lower, moving from £654,377 in 2016 to £393,207.

However, Mr Grant insisted the business is robust and continuing to seek out new opportunities at home and abroad.

The accounts show that, in 2017, 70% of Mackays’ sales were into the domestic market, with exports accounting for 30%.

“At the heart of the business, and indeed profitability, lie our brands,” Mr Grant said.

“Mackay’s continues to develop in home and international markets and the board places great emphasis on this.”

Top: A production line at Mackays’ base at Arbroath. Above: Martin Grant, managing director of Mackays.