Abercromby's Games boost

Group Business Correspondent

Thursday 20 September 2012

A Glasgow company has won a contract to supply machines selling hot drinks in the Commonwealth Arena in the city, which it said could generate £2 million in additional sales.

CHEERS: Co-founder Tracey Graham at the Commonwealth Arena in Glasgow. Picture: Colin Mearns

Custom byline text:

MARK WILLIAMSON

Abercromby Vending has been appointed by Glasgow City Council to supply six machines which will provide a range of coffees, tea and hot chocolate for people attending the venue, in the city's east end over a four-year term.

With big attendances expected for sports such as cycling and badminton at the arena during the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the company's owner Tracey Graham expects the machines will sell well over 1000 drinks a week. Over the life of the contract she expects to generate average revenues of around £2000 a week from the machines, based on a selling price of £1.20 per drink. "It's a big feat for a couple of kids from the east end of Glasgow" said Ms Graham, who started the business with her brother Thomas in 2005.With a catering background, Ms Graham is keen to win further contracts to supply machines that could sell healthy foods in the facilities which will be used for the Games. Thefamily firm also supplies machines that stock foods ranging from sandwiches and staples such as mince and tatties to more sophisticated dishes, such as salmon terayaki, in microwavable containers. "What you can get at a restaurant you can get out of our machines," said Ms Graham.The food is produced at the company's base in Dalmarnock, and half of the recipes it uses have been classed as healthy under the Scottish Government's Healthy Living Award scheme after inspections.The range has been a big hit (many of its ingredients are sourced locally, including the fruit and vegetable market at Blochairn), and Abercromby Vending now supplies around 250 food vending machines to a range of customers, and also supplies 250 drinks machines. Its customer base includes the NHS, South Ayrshire Council as well as private businesses.Ms Graham said the machines can provide a full catering service on a 24-hour basis when dining facilities are not staffed.Abercromby Vending has been growing sales quickly enough to win a place on Scottish Enterprise's account management scheme. The company has £1.3m turnover and 10 employees, including four catering staff.It is investing £250,000 in enlarged production facilities in Dalmarnock, with official support under the Regional Selective Assistance scheme.Ms Graham said she expects to recruit around five additional staff in coming months.

Contextual targeting label:

Food and drink

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Abercromby's Games boost

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED