Macallan acquires Malcolm Allan and Macsween

Industry stalwart set to retire from the business

Gordon Allan holds a tray of steak pies with trays stacked up behind him.
Gordon Allan, director of Malcolm Allan, has announced his plans to retire as management of the business is acquired by Macallan Food Group.

INDUSTRY stalwart Gordon Allan has announced his intention to retire as director of Malcolm Allan as Macallan Food Group acquires the running of the butcher’s as well as Macsween of Edinburgh.

Both companies hold a long-standing heritage within the Scottish food market, with Gordon Allan, son of founder Malcolm Allan, stating he wished to see this family-owned reputation carried on with new owners Macallan.

Gordon said: “Malcolm Allan has been our family business since it was formed by our father in 1954. Having decided to retire, my brother, James, and I wanted to ensure that the new owners would maintain the values, ethos and reputation of our family business after our departure.

“In particular, we want to look after our customers who have enabled us to build our business, and also maintain employment for our employees, many of them having been with us for a very long time.

“We believe the new owners will maintain our values, and we are confident that we are leaving the business in safe hands.”

Macallan Food Group is a new Scottish-based business headed-up by Bill Hazeldean and Stewart McLelland, both of whom already have a proven track record in Scotland’s food industry.

Macallan Food Group has made a controlling investment into Macsween of Edinburgh Ltd, with both Hazeldean and McLelland now set to work alongside James Macsween, MD of Macsween, on the newly formed board.

Macsween said: “The Macsween family are delighted that the business is part of an ambitious new venture that will enable us to fulfil our strategic growth plans in the future.

“Both businesses have strong brands in particular sectors of the meat category, and we look forward to working together with the Malcolm Allan team.”

Bill Hazeldean, who will now take on the role of chairman of the newly formed group, said: “Acquiring the Malcolm Allan business, alongside our investment in Macsween’s of Edinburgh, brings together two excellent businesses, both having product quality and customer service as their key priorities and core values.

“Macallan Food Group is backed by a family trust, that makes long-term investments, so the fundamental ethos of the business will not change.

“We will continue to run both businesses as separate entities, utilising synergies where appropriate, but retaining the individual identities and strengths of each organisation.

“It will be business as usual in the coming months as we implement our 200-day plan and develop our strategy for the future.”