Crumbs! Why shortbread giant is still a family name
IT is an iconic Scottish name that is known and loved around the world.
But now Walkers Shortbread is to rebrand – by adding an apostrophe.
The company, which has announced it will repay £1.35million it received from the Government to furlough staff, will now be known as Walker’s Shortbread Ltd.
As he announced the firm’s annual results, joint managing director Jim Walker said: ‘ Keen observers will note there has been a subtle change to our company’s name.
‘What was Walkers Shortbread Limited will now be Walker’s Shortbread Ltd.
‘Students of grammar will note the all-important apostrophe. This has been done for two reasons.
‘The first is to emphasise that the company is still run by one family, hence the apostrophe signifying singularity.
‘Secondly, the new name is part of a rebranding that will be introduced over the course of the next year.’
The company – which holds a Royal warrant from the Queen – is returning the money it was paid to furlough staff to the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention scheme.
The Speyside company’s move follows repayments by Scottish Sea Farms, Smart Metering Systems and the Wildland company in the Highlands owned by Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen.
Aberlour-based Walker’s annual figures showed a steady performance, with turnover growing last year to £148.8million, compared to £147million in 2018.
Meanwhile, the company’s operating profits dropped slightly to £6.8million, compared to £7.1million.
Export revenues grew from 47 per cent to 49 per cent.
Mr Walker added: ‘It would be fair to say that external political and trade issues made 2019 a fairly challenging year, but we are a well-funded business with a strong balance sheet and were prepared when external difficulties posed a threat.’