From Grass to Glass - Mitchells

Inverurie based Mitchells, winner of the Alick Buchanan Smith Spirit of Enterprise Award at the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise 2006, has a history steeped in both tradition and innovation. In 1928, when Great Granny Mitchell bought the Inverurie village shop, she set about forming a thriving dairy. Today the business is overseen by Pat Mitchell and General Manager Keith Whyte, employs almost 90 people, and has three main arms of its business. While the thriving dairy dream is very much alive in the shape of Mitchells Milk Production and Retail Distribution, it is complemented by Mitchells Grocers Shop and Mitchells Restaurant, known locally as "The Dairy".

Mitchells is remarkable for its growth and development over the years. As farming techniques and technologies have developed so has Mitchells. The family ardently expanded their business to include farms of their own, maintaining control "from grass to glass", this includes herd management, milking, bottling, and doorstep delivering.

In the 1970s, with the third generation at the helm, Mitchells became the first dairy to introduce pasteurised milk to the Garioch area. At this time the enterprise comprised three dairy units, two retail shops and a restaurant.

Today, the fourth generation proudly boast a time of just 24 hours from milk being produced, processed and distributed. In a climate that has seen a shift away from doorstep deliveries, Mitchells has adapted and 90% of milk sales are now to wholesale and retail markets.

Mitchells is committed to the local community and The Dairy became a non smoking establishment in 2003. Weekly taster sessions are also held there, this promotes the local produce which benefits Mitchells and in turn, the supplier.

The Alick Buchanan Smith Spirit of Enterprise Award is open to businesses that have been trading for more than 5 years. Amongst the criteria that entries are judged on are their enterprise, growth and development of new ideas and contribution to the local economy.

Ahead of the 2007 awards, Keith Whyte, Mitchell's General Manager, looks back at the positive effect of last year's win. "We were very pleased, and quite humbled by the win. We can appreciate that it was the whole business that won it, and the fact that we were considered for the award, made it to the final, and ultimately won the award, is testament to the effort that everyone has put in.

"In terms of the positive effect it had, it gave us fantastic PR, and good press coverage. Some of our customers and suppliers even sent us some very nice letters congratulating us on the award, which was much appreciated, but which also shows the range of exposure that the awards get in the press. We invested the cash prize back into the business and this opened new avenues that would allow us to further develop the business.

"It is significant that we can more than hold our own today, while keeping our traditional identity and acknowledging the past. Great Granny Agnes Mitchell's oatcakes are legendary and today we use the same original recipe in Mitchell's bakehouse.

"Today we operate in the same arena as supermarkets and national companies, Mitchells plan to continue to focus on local produce and to invest in modern machinery and systems to improve production efficiencies in terms of milk.

"We currently employ almost 90 full and part time staff, which is reasonably large for the Inverurie area. All of our staff know that they are part of Mitchells and know that Pat Mitchell and I, upon accepting the award, were very much representing them, and the entire company.

"After looking back at the positive effect that award has had, we need to look to the future, and the possibility of adding to this piece of recognition with some further awards."

More information about entering the awards can be found at www.grampianawards.com. Entry information can be collected from Business Gateway outlets, Royal Bank of Scotland branches and from Enterprise North East Trust business centres and offices.

Application forms are available online at www.grampianawards.com and by calling Enterprise North East Trust on 01467 672500.

The deadline for first stage applications is Friday 23 February 2007 and the shortlist of finalists will be announced on 16 April 2007. The awards ceremony will take place on 7^th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

The Business Gateway service in Grampian is delivered on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Grampian by Enterprise North East Trust. For more information telephone 01224 289725 or visit www.bgateway.com.

Inverurie based Mitchells has three main arms of its business: Mitchells Grocers Shop, Mitchells Restaurant, known locally as "The Dairy", and Mitchells Milk Production and Retail Distribution. For more information contact 01467 621389.

Ends

John McIntosh

Tricker PR

9 Victoria Street

Aberdeen

AB10 1XB

Tel: 01224 646491

Mobile: 07780 680751

Email: jmcintosh@trickepr.com

There are five categories in the 2007 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. Winners will receive a unique handcrafted trophy and the awards are one of the few which have a cash prize of up to £5000.

Entrants are now being sought for the five categories which are:

• New Business Award
• Young Business Award
• Business Growth Award
• The Alick Buchanan Smith Spirit of Enterprise Award
• Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation

Each award category has its own criteria and businesses can enter more than one.