Macphie on the Menu at Grampian Food Forum

Around 40 delegates attended the Grampian Food Forum Open Meeting, which took place last night (Wednesday, 8th October) at Stonehaven-based food ingredients manufacturer, Macphie of Glenbervie.

Chaired by Scott Kelman, Chairman of the Grampian Food Forum Operations Group, the meeting started with an overview of Forum activities and an invitation by the Royal Highland Show Aberdeen Committee to join them in promoting Aberdeen City and Shire at the 2009 show.

Neil Coull, Macphie General Manager Foodservice Wholesale, gave an insight into how Macphie has fuelled business growth in foodservice by developing a range of innovative sweet and savoury sauces, fruit coulis, and desserts. Macphie’s roots lie in the bakery market supplying premium cake and bread mixes, cream alternatives, glazes, icings and fillings to high street bakers and plant bakers. However the rise in all day snacking and the coffee shop culture has seen the company’s sales into foodservice grow considerably to £15 million of its total £40 million turnover.

He said: “While there is no doubt that food service operators are feeling the squeeze as a result of the economic turndown, foodservice is a vibrant growing marketplace offering significant opportunities for food businesses in the north-east. For example for every pound spent on food, 31p is spent in foodservice. Adding value, not cutting back, is the key to surviving the credit crunch.”

Karen Scott, Communications Manager, underlined the importance of marketing and communicating the Macphie message. She highlighted the company's environmental strategy and how to communicate green credentials effectively to customers.

Macphie Environmental Manager, Phil Annandale, gave an overview of the multi-million pound 1.2MW biomass boiler, which is the first of its kind in Scotland before leading the group on tours of the recently opened plant.

Attendees also heard from Allene Bruce, Business Development Manager with Scotland Food and Drink before all speakers joined in a question and answer session.

For further information on the Grampian Food Forum, please contact Grampian Food Forum Co-ordinator