A large local company has secured nearly £55,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to increase its infrastructure.
Maclean’s Highland Bakery, based at West Road on the Greshop Industrial Estate, will use the £54k investment towards overall total project costs of £218,000 aimed at improving productivity, increasing turnover, cutting carbon and creating jobs.
Maclean’s managing director Lewis Maclean and retail manager, Kevin Reid.
Maclean’s managing director, Lewis Maclean, confirmed the work will include installing solar panels and building a new production corridor.
He said: “This project is very exciting. It gives us the opportunity to increase our capacity, efficiency, and flexibility, whilst at the same time reducing our carbon footprint.
“For our size, innovation is key to the products and service we offer to our customers, regardless if they live in Forres, Glasgow or New York.”
Maclean’s is an award-winning family run business that was established in 1978 and now employs more than a hundred people.
“We are quite a seasonal business,” explained Lewis. “During the summer months, our workforce can increase to 125 people. At this time of year, we will have just over 100.”
The shop at West Road – Maclean’s other shops are at 61 High Street, in Lossie and Grantown.
The company has four retail shops but most of its income is from wholesale markets. Its main UK customers include Tesco, Morrison, and Sainsburys. The business also exports to the USA, Denmark, Canada, and Ireland.
This latest investment will help improve production processes, resulting in a forecast increase in annual turnover of £1.5m within three years. It will also create up to five new jobs and contribute to the company’s net zero ambitions.
HIE senior development manager, Steve Richards, confirmed the agency’s funding.
He said: “We’ve worked with Maclean’s for several years, supporting its growth and enhancing the contribution it makes to the local economy. It’s a well-established provider of well-paid employment, particularly for young people.
“This new investment will further strengthen the business, provide security for the workforce and create more jobs. It will also contribute to the region’s transition to a net zero economy.
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support the project and look forward to continuing to work with the company.”