Scottish firm is abuzz with ideas to save honeybees

Not many firms can claim to employ 25.5 million workers, give or take a few thousand, and all unpaid.

Unless you are Motherwell-based Plan Bee, a small company set up in 2011 to help save dwindling populations of honeybees and increase awareness of their plight.

It offers a beehive installation and management service to businesses, community groups, schools and individuals who want to help the environment and boost their eco-credentials in the process.

Founder Warren Bader and his human team – who are on the payroll – have so far put in more than 425 hives across the UK, from Aberdeen to Cornwall.

Nearly 50 companies have already signed up, including big-name clients such as cereal producer Kellogs, cosmetics giant L’oreal and the upmarket G&V hotel in Edinburgh.

Between them they produce over five tonnes of honey and wax every year, which is harvested and turned into a range of highquality products.

Among these are postcode-specific honeys, beer, mead and cosmetics.

Mr Bader said: “We provide and manage beehives and believe we have to talk to as many people as possible. The products we do are designed in a way that communicates to consumers the issues facing honeybees and pollinators.”