Mackie’s sees growth in turnover and profit

Ice cream maker Mackie’s of Scotland made a pre-tax profit of £4.12m in the year to 31 May 2021, an increase of £645,000 on the previous year.

The company’s turnover rose by 11% to £18.5m, up from £16.7m the previous year. This was aided by growth in both domestic and export markets.

Mackie’s saw improved ice cream, chocolate, and ice cube sales at both retail and wholesale level during the financial year.

However, revenues were down for its own ice cream parlour and food service sector due to Covid-19, according to the company’s strategic report.

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Managing director Mac Mackie said: “For the current trading year, sales to our major retailers remains strong, but overall company performance will be affected due to continuing cost increases, and profit is forecast to be lower than in 2020/21.”

As well as the wholesale business, Mackie’s has a mixed arable and dairy farming enterprise in Aberdeenshire on 650ha, with 280 cows.

The firm processes a total of 4.3m litres of milk a year, of which 3.5m litres is produced from its own herd, with the remainder collected from local farms.

The business has invested heavily in renewable energy through four wind turbines, 7,000 solar panels and biomass heating.

Mackie’s has also invested in a £4.5m low carbon refrigeration facility, which is due to reduce energy use by 80%.

Future developments

Mr Mackie said in the strategic report that the business will continue to develop UK and export sales, products and markets and the ice cream parlour.

It will also invest in upgrading software systems and processes.

 “The company continues to make Scotland’s favourite premium ice cream and plans to continue to grow the brand offering to our customers while improving efficiency and returns from all areas of the business,” he said.