Stonehaven Based Macphie of Glenbervie Has ‘The Vital Ingredient’ To Land Award Nomination

Macphie of Glenbervie, the UK's leading independent food ingredients manufacturer, which supplies to 40 countries around the world and has a substantial turnover of £40 million, has reached the finals of the eighth annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.

The Macphie family, which is now in its third generation, has been manufacturing the UK's highest quality, innovative food ingredients since the 1920s. Today, Macphie is a dynamic, entrepreneurial company supplying the bakery, food service and food manufacturing markets in the UK and internationally to 40 countries. Alastair Macphie took on the role of Chief Executive in 1997 after the death of his father, Stewart Macphie.

Sylvia Halkerston, HR Director at Macphie of Glenbervie says, "We pride ourselves on the contribution Macphie makes to the community, education and regeneration of the area in which it operates, as this is a vital part of our company ethos. Macphie is an integral part of the community, and it is the community which in turn contributes to the company's success. It is rewarding for the company to be selected as a finalist in the Alick Buchanan Smith Spirit of Enterprise Award in recognition of these achievements, in addition to the recent nomination for our Chief Executive, Alastair Macphie, who has been shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious Ernst & Young entrepreneur of the year award."

"The innovative schools programme with Auchenblae Primary School is by far the most unique and rewarding initiative that Macphie has been involved in, the aim of the programme is to develop enterprise through education and industry links. We introduced a combination of company and school visits, and became involved in teaching the pupils about the whole process from business start up through to sales. We also embarked on a healthy food project with Gourdon Primary School. This was so successful that is has been extended to several other schools and local church groups."

"Macphie's strategic focus is to maintain the continuity it has developed as an independent family owned company and provide sustainable employment for the local community." Sylvia continues, "Investing in our workforce is also at the forefront of our business strategy in order for us to stay ahead when competing against multinational conglomerates. In a time when skills shortages are a key factor for all industry sectors, it is important to recruit, retain and develop the best staff. As the company ethos is to promote learning in the widest possible sense, we believe in tailoring our training needs for each employee to develop their ability and promote flexible working."

"The company has ambitious plans for growth in the food sector. This would not be possible without the strength of our workforce and their extensive knowledge of the bakery ingredients sector. To win the Alick Buchanan Spirit of Enterprise award would be a key factor in the further development of educational and local partnerships, and would re-affirm our position at the heart of the community.

"Our goal is to develop long-term relationships with a number of organisations that share common interests with our own, in areas that we consider critical to our company's future. For example, one area of great importance is the nurturing of food technology and food science expertise, and it is our aim to attract these talents into the food manufacturing sector."