AYRSHIRE-based We Hae Meat has extended its supply deal with Aldi by £600,000 per year with the addition of a “skinny” Lorne sausage to the range sold by the discounter, writes Ian McConnell.

We Hae Meat’s contracts with Aldi are now worth around £2 million annually.

The family-owned Scottish butchery business, run by husband and wife team Alex and Carlyn Paton from Cairnhill Farm, near Girvan, has been supplying Aldi with a range of sausage products since 2011. The reduced-fat skinny steak Lorne sausage is now available in Aldi’s stores across Scotland.

We Hae Meat has recently invested £2m to expand its facilities at Girvan.

Carlyn Paton, co-founder and director at We Hae Meat, said: “The value of our relationship with Aldi has given us the confidence to invest in more efficient processes, and working with Aldi over the years has helped to transform our business.”

Graham Nicolson, group buying director for Aldi in Scotland, said: “The We Hae Meat Scottish success story is an incredible one. Aldi are committed to supporting local suppliers. With a focus to increase our range of Scottish products from 350 to 400 over the next two years, strengthening our relationships with existing suppliers like We Hae Meat only serves to bring us closer to realising that ambition.”