Recipe for jobs boost in £500,000 business expansion 8/11/14
Stornoway-
More staff will be taken on to help increase output of sweet and savoury biscuits for island and export markets.
Phenomenal demand for their products means the current 41-
Charlie Macdonald, owner of Stag Bakeries, said: “We have a clear business strategy for growth and plan to continue to capitalise on new market opportunities and build a brand associated with product excellence.
“We aim to create a range of new jobs as the company expands and represent our island community on an international platform.”
Mr Macdonald added: “A key component in this growth will be innovation in new products which is critical in markets that crave new ideas. We have an ongoing programme of product development which is important to growing a brand and keeping consumers interested.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is backing the enterprise with £116,700 of funding.
HIE’s Western Isles’ manager, Rachel Mackenzie, said: “Ambitious businesses such
as Stag Bakeries are making a real difference to achieving growth aspirations, and
are very important to the island’s economy.
“Stag Bakeries has recognised the export
opportunities open to them and has acted on this to grow and expand the business.
“We wish them all the best and look forward to supporting them as their business expands.”
The Stag brand holds a premium position in the UK speciality food market and supplies some of the best independent delis, farm shops and upmarket food halls.
Exports to abroad started last year with sales into eleven countries including Ireland, Canada, Belgium, Norway and Portugal.
A strategy has been put in place to also target emerging markets and business has already been achieved in both China and Russia.