Scottish food brand Mackie’s is digesting record profits for 2018 thanks partly to feasting on cheap power from on-site renewable energy production.
The ice cream maker produced over 70% of its electricity needs at its Aberdeenshire farm from a 10-acre site of solar panels and four wind turbines.
Mackie’s booked profit of £1.3m for the year based on turnover of £13.9m, both records for the company, which also makes a range of chocolate bars.
Managing director Mac Mackie said: “Over the last five years, Mackie’s have invested a further £3.9 million in solar panels and a wind turbine.
“We are continuing with further investments on the site to make the ice cream production more energy efficient and to help our advances to become 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2020.
“We’re proud that the majority of our power is now generated on site, helping us to offset more carbon that we produce.”
Meanwhile its export sales to markets in the Far East soared by 182% to £1.1 million – now contributing 8% to Mackie’s total turnover thanks to continuing demand for Mackie’s ice cream and the additional export of Mackie’s chocolate.
“2018 was certainly a significant year for Mackie’s, with substantial growth in our export trade as well as developments closer to home. Our current financial year has started well with the hot summer months with growth continuing into 2019,” added Mackie.