Ice-cream firm has sweet profit news

The appetite of shoppers for a “pick me up treat” during the first Covid-19 lockdown helped boost profits by more than £1 million at north-east ice cream maker Mackie’s of Scotland.

The company said yesterday it had taken on 10 extra staff to cope with increased demand as the desire for “a little luxury” followed in the wake of panic buying during the early days of the pandemic.

Results released by the family-run business showed pre-tax profits had jumped to almost £3.5m in the year to the end of last May, from £2.2m in the previous 12 months, while turnover rose by 1%, to £16.7m over the period.

Sales of the firm’s chocolate bars also leapt by 46% during the year after recipe refinements helped it secure more supermarket listings.

Mac Mackie, managing director of the company, which is based at Westertown Farm, near Rothienorman, described the results as “stellar”.

Mr Mackie, who runs the business with his sisters, Karin and Kirstin, said: “With the first lockdown period in March, and the last quarter of the financial year, we initially witnessed a panic-buying rush as the public filled freezers and baskets with staples – and not ice cream.

“For a few weeks, demand for take-home tubs of ice cream fell and our foodservice accounts sadly ground to a near halt, including the temporary closure of our own 19.2 parlour in Aberdeen.

“However, we are very fortunate that ice cream sales quickly recovered, with increased demand as consumers sought a little luxury or pick me up treat while in lockdown at home.”

He added: “To see revenue increase, by even a small margin, is a credit to everyone in our team.

“We’ve had to be fleet of foot to be able to keep working, at home and remotely, while creating and incorporating the many new safety procedures required.

“Despite these challenges, we launched a new pack format, introducing ‘The Mini Collection’, four single-serving sized tubs of ice cream in our two biggest selling flavours.

“It’s been our most successful new launch in years, tapping into demand for grab-and-go – and perhaps an ideal format for families working and home-schooling.

“It’s especially pleasing to see chocolate perform so well too.

“Since the end of this reported financial year we launched our first new flavour since the launch in 2014 – Orange – which has also been received very favourably – and we’ve been able to donate more than 10,000 bars to hospitals, ambulance bases, care homes and call centres.”

The Mackie’s workforce increased to 91 during the year.

The company said it had enjoyed a “strong start” to 2021, with a 37% rise in sales, amid a reported surge in demand for luxury ice cream across the UK.

Construction of a new low-carbon refrigeration system at the firm’s northeast base is due to be completed this year.

The first of its kind in Scotland and one of just a handful across Europe, the system will use biomass heat and ammonia and the firm expects to reduce its energy use by up to 80%.

A fourth-generation family farm, Westertown already has four large wind turbines and a 10-acre solar array on its land.

All Mackie’s ice cream is produced using fresh milk and cream from the farm’s dairy herd.

IN DEMAND: From left, Karin, Mac and Kirstin Mackie, of Mackie’s of Scotland, saw profits rise by more than £1 million.