IN this week’s SME Focus we hear from a software specialist whose love of food encouraged him to start producing rapeseed oil in Perthshire.
Name:
Mark Bush.
Age:
46.
What is your business called?
Summer Harvest Ltd.
Where is it based?
Crieff, Perthshire.
What does it produce, what services does it offer?
Cold pressed rapeseed oil which we grow, press and bottle on our family farm in the heart of the Strathearn Valley. We also make and sell vinegars, mayonnaise and dressings.
Whom does it sell to?
Many sectors including independent farm shops, delicatessens, Waitrose (Scotland) and Whole Foods Market. We also supply the food service sector, restaurants, B&B’s, hotel chains and other food manufactures so they can make products such as wild garlic pesto. Over the past few years we have exported our oils and dressings to the Middle East and we are currently in conversation with a food distributor in the USA. We also still attend Perth Farmers' Market each month and shows such as The Scottish Game Fair and Royal Highland Show.
What is its turnover?
Less than £200,000.
How many employees?
One director and temporary staff during the show season.
When was it formed?
2008.
Why did you take the plunge?
When my wife and I moved to Scotland I began working on my father-in-law’s farm and started selling our potatoes to farm shops, deli’s, restaurants and farmers’ markets. As potatoes are seasonal I was looking to create something new from what we produced on the farm. I love cooking and I had used a cold pressed rapeseed oil in the past but in 2008 we couldn’t find any Scottish based producers so we decided to create our own. I then completely immersed myself into the sector by visiting retail outlets and working at Andrew Fairlies restaurant on a couple of occasions to find out more about kitchens and chefs.
What were you doing before you took the plunge?
I originally trained as a software engineer and I worked on air traffic control systems and for the army before I moved to London to work on the trading floor of an investment bank. But in 2007, I finally accepted IT was not for me and as I loved everything to do with food, my Scottish wife and I decided to move to Scotland and start a new career in the food and drink industry.
How did you raise the start-up funding?
We mainly self-funded the start-up of the business but we also obtained a Scottish Rural Development Programme grant.
What was your biggest break?
Winning two awards at The Scotland Food & Drink Awards in 2009. This raised our profile and opened a lot of doors for us.
What was your worst moment?
It's not so much a moment, but more of a month. The harvest in 2015 was really tricky with the wet weather and we were very late getting the harvest in.
What do you most enjoy about running the business?
It has to be seeing someone pick up your product and purchase it. It takes so much work to get the seed into the ground, harvested, pressed and bottled. Then there is the branding, marketing and distribution.
What do you least enjoy?
Getting the balance right between work and family life. It can be tricky as you want to get the most out of both which isn’t always possible.
What are your ambitions for the firm?
We plan to double the size of the business over the next two years and take on staff to run certain areas of the business.
What are your five top priorities?
1. Enjoying time at home.
2. Enjoying running the business.
3. Maintaining great relationships with our current customers.
4. Gaining new customers.
5. Continual business improvement.
What single thing would most help?
There are great sources of technical knowledge out there in bodies such as Scotland Food & Drink and Business Gateway and at present I believe I have access to the resources I need to run my business. But whilst talking with other business owners I believe there could be room for a directory of investors who would be willing to invest both money and time into businesses who wish to take the next step in their growth
What could the Westminster and/or Scottish governments do that would help? We’ve had a lot of advice from Business Gateway who have supported us with HR issues, marketing and reviewing our production capabilities, so I believe there is a lot of support out there. The hardest thing though is finding the support that is correct for you at the correct time. Scotland Food & Drink are great for signposting you to the right support so you don’t miss any opportunities.
What was the most valuable lesson that you learned?
Never stand still. As a business owner you must always look at ways to improve both your business and yourself. You should be continually learning and never be afraid to look for external help and advice.
How do you relax?
I love walking the dog around our beautiful countryside we live in and spending time with my family. I’m also a big sports fan and can't get enough of watching rugby. I've developed a love for curling since my move to Scotland.
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