One of Scotland’s leading meat processors has moved into a brand new plant and created 35 new full time jobs with the help of Scottish Government funding.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead today opened the new Malcolm Allan facility in Larbert on the day the founder of the company, Malcolm Allan, celebrates his 95th birthday.
The firm, which had estimated retail sales of approx. £15.7 million in Scotland last year, has received a total of £1 million from the Scottish Government’s Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grants.
The new facility has created 35 new full time jobs and secures the future of the 125 current full time employees. The new site will also increase capacity by 50 per cent and opens the potential to supply to English stores and build on ever growing sales.
Mr Lochhead said:
“Scotland’s meat manufacturing sector serves up great benefits to the Scottish economy, generating turnover worth £1.2 billion and employing 7,300 people in 2011.
“The Scottish Government’s Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grants have benefited 175 projects across Scotland and supported 8,500 jobs, further investment and export opportunities. This particular expansion is great news for the firm and for the sector, and shows how committed the Scottish Government is to helping Scottish businesses grow and expand to create a more prosperous nation.
“And I’m delighted that I am opening the new facility on the day Malcolm Allan is celebrating his 95th birthday. He has worked incredibly hard to build and create a successful company and his commitment is inspiring – I certainly hope I’ll be as fit and active when I’m Malcolm’s age.”
Malcolm Allan managing director, Gordon Allan said:
“The company has experienced a surge in sales in recent years and the move to this new facility will allow us to not only meet demand, but to also significantly increase our capacity significantly as we look to grow the business further.
“The Scottish Government’s Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant has been pivotal in allowing us to develop and expand, and we are delighted that the Government is continuing to show support to the industry.”
Councillor Craig Martin, leader of Falkirk Council said:
“The Council’s business support team pulled its services together to ensure that Malcolm Allan could continue to base its growing business in Falkirk. The company is an important contributor to the local economy through its commitment to employment and apprenticeships and is a prime example of how a business can thrive in this area as a result of the support on offer and its central location.”
FPMC, which was part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013, awarded grants to 175 projects worth up to £47 million, supporting investment of £160 million, aiming to safeguard or create 8500 jobs. More on the FPMC scheme: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/SRDP/ProcessingandMarketing
Malcolm Allan was founded in 1954 as a high street family butcher and has grown into the biggest private chain of retail butchers in Scotland.
Kantar Worldpanel’s latest retail sales estimates Malcolm Allan was the second largest (by value of sales) non-alcohol selling food and drink Scottish brand in Scotland, with estimated retail sales of approx. at £15.7 million for the year ending May 2013.
The company has been working closely with Falkirk Council’s Growth and Investment Unit to manage its expansion and move to the 29,000 sq ft unit at Central Park. This includes identifying the existing land at Central Park for development and local jobs creation. The Growth and Investment Unit acted as the lead across Falkirk Council’s building and infrastructure services in an integrated approach to managing the move, ensuring the new site and property was ready for purpose.
