AS Scotland’s key small and medium sized enterprise sector grapples with the uncertainty caused by the Brexit vote it is good to be able to highlight firms that are reaping the rewards for investing in growth.

These include family-owned Border Biscuits, which has been prospering amid the challenging conditions that businesses have faced since the Brexit vote in 2016.

As the Lanark-based company faces competition from major manufacturers and relies on supermarkets for much of its business, it has a hard row to how.

But Border has shown an ability to respond to market developments that would put many giants to shame.

Part of its success has been based on the development of a product that has allowed a small player to stand out in a crowded market in the form of the Dark Chocolate Ginger biscuit.

Some might regard the product as a lucky one-off.

But besides demonstrating its baking expertise, Border has shown the conviction to invest heavily in marketing the product. Billed as famously fiery, it is winning a growing following among consumers across the UK.

In October Border Biscuits said Dark Chocolate Ginger sales had increased by an eye-catching 38 per cent in just two years.

Launched by John Cunningham in a small factory in 1984, to produce four types of biscuits, the company’s range now includes more than 20 products.

The total turnover it generates has risen to more than £17m, from £14.8m in 2015.

Under Mr Cunningham’s leadership the firm has made bold moves during a period when some firms have been frozen in the headlights of the Brexit juggernaut.

Border added a new production line in January 2016 to support growth just months before the Brexit vote and maintained its focus on expansion amid the months of turmoil triggered by the result.

In October it lined up investment worth £3.5 million to grow sales and build market share.A significant amount of the expenditure had been earmarked for investment in the Lanark factory, in part to support new product development.

Months later Border unveiled a plan to eliminate 90 per cent of plastic from its packaging in a move that showed how even relatively small players could respond to growing concern about climate change.

Last week Border launched a snack bar version of its Dark Chocolate Ginger biscuit.

The product represents Border’s first move into the fast-growing snacking market that other food firms are trying to win a share of.

Nairn’s, the Edinburgh-based oatcake maker, has targeted snackers with new Oat Bars and crisp-like Pop Oats.

Perthshire-based Bruce Farms developed the Podberry snack using freeze-dried peas.

All have taken significant risks, reflecting a willingness to take a long-term view that it may be harder for firms that are listed on the stock market to match.

Many public players are focused on achieving the level of profits they must record to satisfy institutional investors and the grim champions of shareholder value.

In an age when the only stakeholders that seem to matter in City circles are share owners, Border Biscuits has also stood out for the importance it appears to attach to staff welfare.

The firm’s success has been good for the local job market with employee numbers increasing to around 170 from around 150 in 2014.

In July 2015 the company introduced the living wage for its permanent staff.

In February 2018 it switched to a five-day production schedule in order to give staff weekends off with the avowed intention of helping them to enjoy a better work life balance. The company previously ran production over seven days, which meant employees’ shifts changed weekly and included Saturdays and Sundays

In the 2018 financial year Border introduced an employee profit share scheme.

With the food and drink sector seen as a key driver of growth in its economy, Scotland needs more firms to follow the kind of approach taken by Border Biscuits.