Mackie’s reinforces its commitment to local economy
ABERDEENSHIRE dairy firm Mackie’s of Scotland has reaffirmed its commitment to the local economy in north-east Scotland with the acquisition of a new distribution site.
The purchase of a new 50,000 sq ft distribution facility in Kintore, Aberdeenshire marks a significant next step for the dairy firm as it looks to improve its distribution across the area.
Located just 15 minutes drive from the company’s existing base, the Kintore site will serve as a key distribution hub for Mackie’s and will allow the firm to manage more of its operations from the north-east while reducing food miles.
Stuart Common, managing director at Mackie’s of Scotland, said: “This is an exciting move that strengthens our foundations and gives us greater control over how we get our products to customers efficiently and, importantly, sustainably, from right here in Aberdeenshire.”
The new opening comes as Mackie’s celebrates 40 years in operation, having grown from a small family farm into one of the UK’s fastest-growing premium ice cream brands.
The investment also addresses some long-standing logistical challenges the business had been grappling with, particularly with more local deliveries. Previously, Mackie’s products that were set for Scottish customers were required to travel along longer routes through third-party distributors.
With the new facility, Mackie’s can cut this unnecessary step out and will be able to store and dispatch products much closer to home.
Common said: “This investment is a clear signal of intent and about building a business with the capacity to keep growing, reach more customers and do so in a way that stays true to our green values.
“By bringing more of our distribution under our control here in the North-east, we can do more locally, keep skills and expertise in the region, and significantly reduce the distance our products travel – something that really matters to us both commercially and from a sustainability point of view.”
This marks the first major move from the Aberdeenshire dairy firm since Mackie’s reported its highest-ever turnover results at nearly £25million.
Maitland (Mac) Mackie, executive chairman, said: “This is a really pivotal moment in our history. After 40 years of building this business as a family, this is an important and exciting next step for us.
“This investment is a physical demonstration of how we’re backing the business, supporting the area we call home, and making sure we’re in a strong position for the next generation.”
