SCOTTISH food group Mackie's is gearing up to take on the US market with its potato crisps.
Mackie's at Taypack, the joint venture that manufactures the crisps, is preparing to attend the US's biggest natural food fair, the Expo West show in Los Angeles, next month.
Assistance from Scottish Development International (SDI) has enabled Mackie's to appoint Tim Gardiner as managing director in place of Kirstin Mackie, who said: "We are looking forward to having Tim's financial acumen and connections with the US behind the company's new growth plans and international strategy.
"We also believe it now makes good sense for the joint venture to have a non-family member taking us forward."
Ms Mackie will remain development director, with responsibility to bring other snacks to the market.
Mackie's has installed a potato washing and grading line in its Inchture factory, a £150,000 investment made with Scottish Government help.
Export sales were 10% of the £2.5 million turnover last year and the firm is set to target the US, which has a "chips" market of £3 billion.
Mr Gardiner said: "Early research with consumers has been very encouraging. They like the product, our natural flavours and that we grow our own potatoes here."
Mackie's crisps have just gone on sale in The Fresh Market, a chain with more than 100 stores, and Central Market, which has eight superstores across Texas.
Mr Gardiner added: "This is a good fit. The Fresh Market seeks unique, natural products and it makes it a point to work with smaller suppliers, such as family-owned companies like us."
Mackie's is targeting sales of £500,000 in the US this year and already has a first order from Fresh n Easy – the US counterpart of Tesco.
Audrey Leng, senior international executive at SDI, said: "Mackies at Taypack is a forward-thinking, internationally focused company with a strong commitment to its role in Scotland and the local Tayside economy."
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