MACKIE'S is expecting to increase production of the crisps it makes in Scotland by around one million bags annually after winning a contract to sell them in 70 supermarkets in England and Northern Ireland.
The ice-cream maker, which formed the crisp-production business with the Taypack potato business, has won a contract to supply three varieties of the snacks for sale in Asda stores.
Its Mature Cheddar & Onion, Sea Salt and Flamegrilled Aberdeen Angus crisps are already stocked in 58 Asda stores in Scotland.
The extension is expected to result in the value of the deal increasing by 30% annually, to around £750,000.
The win should help the crisp venture maintain the strong growth in sales which it has achieved since its launch in 2009.
Ronnie Wilson, commercial manager, said Mackie's of Scotland crisps have increased sales by 40% by volume in the year to date compared with the same period in 2012. The move into Asda stores in England and Northern Ireland is an important landmark for the venture. While Mackie's supplies all the major retail group's stores in Scotland, this is the first supply agreement with one of the giants extending south of the Border.
"This is a very exciting opportunity which will bring our product to a much wider audience," said Mr Wilson.
Mackie's sold around five million bags of crisps last year, with 20% sold by distributors south of the Border.
It generates 60% of its sales in Scotland.
The remaining 20% of business comes from export markets, which Mr Wilson said are really starting to take off.
The venture sells in 20 countries ranging from Canada, the biggest export market, to Australia,
The crisps business works out of a purpose-built facility in Perthshire and uses crops grown in Scotland.
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