40-year-old Scottish ice cream maker marks ‘pivotal moment’ with major move

Mackie’s of Scotland said the purchase of a 50,000-square-foot distribution facility in Kintore, Aberdeenshire marked a significant step in its long-term growth plans, creating new capacity while “reinforcing its commitment” to the local community.

The expansion move comes as the business celebrates 40 years in operation, having grown from a small family farm into one of the UK’s fastest-growing ice cream brands.

In February, Mackie’s reported record turnover of £24.8 million, an 11 per cent year-on-year increase, alongside a 3 per cent rise in profits for the financial year ending May 2025. The strong performance was underpinned by continued UK sales growth, resulting from growing distribution and increasing brand awareness, bosses said.

Managing director Stuart Common said the new distribution facility was located just 15 minutes from the company’s existing base. The Kintore site will serve as a key distribution hub, allowing the firm to manage more of its operations from the North-east while reducing unnecessary food miles.

“This is an exciting move that strengthens our foundations and gives us greater control over how we get our products to customers efficiently and, importantly, sustainably, from right here in Aberdeenshire,” noted Common.

He said the investment in the facility would address “long-standing” logistical challenges within the business. Previously, products destined for Scottish customers were required to travel significantly longer routes through third-party distribution networks.

With the new depot, the firm will be able to store and dispatch products closer to home, cutting journey distances by hundreds of miles in some cases, and delivering “clear gains” in both efficiency and sustainability.

Common added: “This investment is a clear signal of intent and about building a business with the capacity to keep growing, reach more customers and do so in a way that stays true to our green values.

“By bringing more of our distribution under our control here in the North-east, we can do more locally, keep skills and expertise in the region, and significantly reduce the distance our products travel - something that really matters to us both commercially and from a sustainability point of view.”

Executive chairman Maitland (Mac) Mackie said: “This is a really pivotal moment in our history. After 40 years of building this business as a family, this is an important and exciting next step for us.

“This investment is a physical demonstration of how we’re backing the business, supporting the area we call home, and making sure we’re in a strong position for the next generation.”

In February, Mackie’s noted that the muted increase in its annual profits came amid sustained inflation, with a sharp rise in the price of cream, underlining the “ongoing pressures and unpredictability faced by dairy producers”.

In the financial year to May, the brand’s products landed on 2,110 more retail store shelves, with increases in Tesco (+11 per cent), Sainsburys (+20 per cent), Morrisons (+54 per cent) and Asda (+17 per cent), most notably across the company’s traditional, raspberry ripple and honeycomb flavours.

The company has also maintained a strong international presence, with 10 per cent of revenue generated from international markets, particularly in Taiwan, South Korea and China. It continues to diversify its export strategy with plans to grow its presence in markets where it has already proven popular with consumers.

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Growth was boosted last year by expanding UK distribution and increasing brand awareness, with products reaching 2,110 additional retail shelves across major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda.

Mackie’s also attracted more than 300,000 new buyers over the year and is now purchased by more than a quarter of households in Scotland, underlining its strong market position.

Sustainability has remained central to the business, with investments in wind turbines, solar energy and low-carbon refrigeration systems enabling it to generate more energy than it consumes. The Kintore site is expected to complement this approach, with potential for further sustainability measures, including renewable energy integration, as part of future development plans.

Common said: “Reinvesting in Aberdeenshire is hugely important to us because it is where the business began and where our roots still are today. Everything we do is grounded in that farming heritage, and the community has been tremendous in supporting us over the last four decades.

“We’re excited to have this opportunity to create even more possibilities locally, by supporting jobs, keeping skills in the North-east and contributing to the wider economy and community here.”

He added: “We’re realistic about the challenges ahead but remain intent on offering a product that embodies affordable luxury. We’re also conscious that costs are still high and that households are under pressure, so we’re keeping a close eye on how the market is changing.”

Meanwhile, Scottish water producer Highland Spring said it was extending its flavoured still water portfolio with the addition of two flavours - orange and passionfruit, and summer berries - as it focuses on doubling the size of the business and reaching £200m in annual sales. Available from early April onwards, the new sugar-free products build on the success of the existing range which includes apple and blackcurrant, lemon and lime, and strawberry.

Managing director Simon Oldham said: “There’s significant growth potential in our flavoured water portfolio, and we have made a strategic decision to expand it with two exciting new additions.”

Family-owned Scottish ice cream maker cheers record sales of almost £25 million