A FORRES bakery is investing in new equipment, exploring new markets and making efficiency savings by reducing plastic use in products.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded Maclean’s Highland Bakery a £28,711 grant towards its expansion project, which focuses on growing UK wholesale and international markets.
A new automated packaging line will help the company to increase production as demand for products continues to grow. The equipment will help the bakery to increase capacity and reduce its carbon footprint by decreasing the use of plastic infills for crackers, biscuits and shortbread packaging.
The award-winning bakery, established in 197, is currently employing 109 full time equivalent posts (FTEs).
With government restrictions in place during the last few weeks, the family-owned bakery lost 40% percent of sales and furloughed many of its employees. Despite this, the firm’s managing director, Lewis Maclean remains optimistic about the future.
Lewis said: “We have remained open over the last few weeks while offering a limited range of products.
“Previous customers are now starting to return, and we are taking on more orders. The funding from HIE is a great boost for our business and will allow us to increase output, efficiency and develop our product range as we focus on expanding our markets.
“The development is also a step forward in embracing biodegradable packaging for our products.”
Angie Smith, account manager at HIE, said: “Maclean’s Highland Bakery is part of the region’s important food and drink sector. The grant will support the company to grow its turnover and international growth as it develops. The firm has shown steady growth over the years and has clear potential for further expansion, providing valuable employment and contributing to the local economy.”
