Mackie's overcomes challenging conditions

Deputy Business Editor

Thursday 28 February 2013

ICE-CREAM maker Mackie's has recorded a rise in profits in spite of "challenging" trading conditions and poor summer weather.

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greig cameron

Accounts filed at Companies House for the family-owned business show a small dip in turn-over from £11.6 million to £11.5m in the 12 months to May 31, 2012.

Sales from the ice-cream arm slipped from £10.48m to £10.42m, while farming revenue was down from £541,276 to £454,020.

Wind turbine revenue grew from £496,303 to £517,157, with income at the crisp division joint venture, Mackie's at Taypack, rising from £111,619 to £120,329.Pre-tax profits increased from £299,626 to £360,640, helped by a reduction in administration and financing costs.Net debt was reduced from £2.8m to £1.6m although the company had to make an exceptional bad-debt provision of £290,608 relating to a trade balance due to the crisp business.Mac Mackie, managing director, said although raw material prices had eased slightly, the Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire, firm had con-tinued to review all of its costs.He said: "Despite being a not very good summer things were very steady [in ice-cream sales]."We are more optimistic about this year and I am predicting a good summer. We are bound to get one eventually."Mr Mackie said the recent launch of Madagascan vanilla and cookie biscuit flavour ice-cream had been well received and had quickly gained traction with supermarket customers.He said: "We have some new listings with new products which is going down very well." Mr Mackie also indicated the business was considering product launches outside ice-cream later this year.The accounts showed directors' remuneration increased from £284,008 to £296,894, with the highest paid receiving a rise from £69,121 to £75,341. Average employee numbers declined from 82 to 72 across the year.Mackie's said it had installed 150 kilowatts of solar panels and increased its recycling of plastics, cardboard and wood while reducing waste sent to landfill.

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Mackie's overcomes challenging conditions

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